AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY TRAGIC

Monty Python star Terry Jones, 74, reveals he is suffering from dementia

The star revealed the heartbreaking news as Bafta announced he had been given the special award for outstanding contribution to film and television

Ellie Flynn

Published: 9:30, 23 Sep 2016
Updated: 16:50, 24 Sep 2016

MONTY Python star Terry Jones has revealed he is battling dementia.

The Life of Brian and Meaning of Life director, 74, has been diagnosed with a form of the disease called Primary Progressive Aphasia.

Jones was a key member of the ground-breaking Monty Python team alongside John Cleese, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle.

Monty Python star Terry Jones has revealed he is battling a devastating dementia diagnosis — Monty Python star Terry Jones has revealed he is battling a devastating dementia diagnosisCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

Terry Jones, far right, directed Monty Python's 1979 smash hit Life of Brian — Terry Jones, far right, directed Monty Python's 1979 smash hit Life of BrianCredit: Alamy

The Life of Brian and Meaning of Life director, far left, has been diagnosed with a form of the disease called Primary Progressive Aphasia — The Life of Brian and Meaning of Life director, far left, has been diagnosed with a form of the disease called Primary Progressive AphasiaCredit: BBC

He starred in many of their funniest sketches and co-directed hit movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

He has also appeared in a number of films including 1971's And Now for Something Completely Different.

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His 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."

It comes as BAFTA Cymru announced he had been given the special award for outstanding contribution to film and television.

Recognising the award, his spokesman added: "Terry is proud and honoured to be recognised in this way and is looking forward to the celebrations."

Hannah Raybould, Director of BAFTA Cymru, said: “We are very much looking forward to celebrating the work of Terry Jones during the ceremony with a look back at his work from 1969 to the present day.”

Jones, who has a seven-year-old daughter and two older children, has just been awarded a Bafta for outstanding contribution to film and television — Jones, who has a seven-year-old daughter and two older children, has just been awarded a Bafta for outstanding contribution to film and televisionCredit: Getty Images

Jones, left, starred in and co-directed Monty Python and the Holy Grail — Jones, left, starred in and co-directed Monty Python and the Holy GrailCredit: BBC

Jones, left, was a key member of the ground-breaking Monty Python team alongside Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin — Jones, left, was a key member of the ground-breaking Monty Python team alongside Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Michael PalinCredit: AP:Associated Press

The Welsh Comedian previously appeared on Twice a Fortnight and The Complete and Utter History of Britain before catapulting to fame with the Monty Python troupe.

Jones has a seven-year-old daughter Siri with new wife Anna Soderstrom and two older children with ex-wife Alison Telfer.

The 74-year-old secretly married Anna in a ceremony in London three years ago.

It comes as Bafta announced he had been given the special award for outstanding contribution to film and television — It comes as Bafta announced he had been given the special award for outstanding contribution to film and televisionCredit: PA:Press Association

The 74-year-old has written a number of books, screenplays and poetry throughout his life — The 74-year-old has written a number of books, screenplays and poetry throughout his lifeCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

He was previously married to Alison for 42 years.

The 74-year-old wrote and directed the opera Evil Machines and was commissioned to write music for another opera, The Doctors Tale, in 2011.

He has written a number of books, screenplays and poetry throughout his life.

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