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The cruellest thing: Michael Palin shares heartbreaking post about Python friend Terry Jones

Michael Palin has shared some emotional words with his fans about his Monty Python colleague Terry Jones, who has been diagnosed with dementia.

Jones's diagnoses was revealed to the world on Saturday and Palin wrote about the effect the disease has had on his comedy genius colleague.

Michael Palin met up with Jones on Thursday before Jones's representative revealed the Python member had dementia. Photo: Michael Palin/Facebook
Michael Palin met up with Jones on Thursday before Jones's representative revealed the Python member had dementia. Photo: Michael Palin/Facebook

"The progress of his dementia has been painful to watch and the news announced yesterday that he has a type of aphasia which is gradually depriving him of the ability to speak is about the cruellest thing that could befall someone to whom words, ideas, arguments, jokes and stories were once the stuff of life," Palin wrote.

"Terry doesn’t say very much but he smiles, laughs, recognises and responds, and I’m always pleased to see him. Long may that last."

Terry Jones. Photo: Getty Images
Terry Jones. Photo: Getty Images

Howard Johnson, who Palin calls an American friend of Python, took a photo of the two mates when they met up at the pub on Thursday last week.

Palin, who said the pair had been close friends and colleagues for more than 50 years, revealed Jones "is not out of circulation" and spends time with his, as well as the friends' regular meals at Jones's local pub.

The surviving Python team with John Oliver. Photo: Getty Images
The surviving Python team with John Oliver. Photo: Getty Images

Terry's spokesman revealed his medical condition following Bafta Cymru's announcement he has been given the special award for outstanding contribution to film and television.

The spokesman said: "Terry has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, a variant of the frontotemporal dementia. This illness affects his ability to communicate and he is no longer able to give interviews. Terry is proud and honoured to be recognised in this way and is looking forward to the celebrations."

Jones directed the Holy Grail and The Life of Brian. Photo: Getty Images
Jones directed the Holy Grail and The Life of Brian. Photo: Getty Images

Welshman Jones was a key member of the beloved comedy troupe along with Michael, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and the late Graham Chapman.

As well as starring in their sketch show 'Monty Python's Flying Circus', Jones was responsible for directing the feature films 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail', 'The Life of Brian' and 'Monty Python's The Meaning of Life'.

The surviving members all reunited for 10 live comedy shows, titled 'Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go', at The O2 in London in 2014 with the shows billed as their final ever performances.

Jones lives with his partner Anna Soderstrom and their seven-year-old daughter Siri. He also has two adult children, Sally and Bill, with his ex-wife Alison Telfer.