Doing 11 minutes of Monty Python-style ‘silly walks’ each day could help you live longer, scientists claim

DOING 11 minutes of John Cleese-style “silly walks” each day could help you live longer, scientists claim.

Exaggerated strides like those in the famous Monty Python sketch burn more calories, boost fitness and reduce the risk of dying young.

Cleese swung his legs and lanky frame wildly as he played bowler hat-wearing Mr Teabag in the 1971 Ministry of Silly Walks scene.

Now tests have revealed his crazy march burns up to eight extra calories per minute compared to regular walking and doubles the body’s oxygen uptake.

Study author Professor Glenn Gaesser, of Arizona University in the US, said: “The skit might have unwittingly touched on a powerful way to enhance fitness.

“Increasing the inefficiency of physical activity that we already perform might promote regular physical activity in a joyful way.”

Writing in the British Medical Journal, Prof Gaesser said 11 minutes of silly walking a day may cut death risks by ten per cent.

And in the words of another Cleese character in the Pythons’ Mr Creosote sketch, it could also help make you “wafer-thin”.