Monty Python star Eric Idle, who was told in 2022 that an early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer had saved his life, has suddenly cancelled a forthcoming tour because of ill health.
California-based Eric, 83, promoted his latest book, Idle in Provence: A Brief History Of Thyme, and toured Britain last month but now he has called off events Down Under.
'It is with great regret that, on the advice of my doctors, I must withdraw from my planned An Evening of Idle Conversation tour of Australia and New Zealand,' he said.
'This isn't a decision I take lightly, but when the doctors talk, I must listen.'
It comes four years after Eric revealed he had got the all-clear after secretly battling pancreatic cancer – one of the most lethal forms of the disease.
Eric was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer early after a friend he was staying with in the United States urged him to undergo a variety of tests to help a doctor in his studies into preventative medicine.
Monty Python star Eric Idle, who was told in 2022 that an early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer had saved his life, has suddenly cancelled a forthcoming tour because of ill health
He was told the diagnosis by his friend, who enlightened him that there was a good chance of removing the cancer via surgery due to the rare early diagnosis.
Eric previously told The Guardian he didn't feel emotional when told the news. He said: 'I didn't cry till I knew I was going to live. I just got on with it. I'm British! You try not to show emotions in the face of danger.'
The comedian told his wife of 45 years Tania and his children Carey, 53, and Lily, 36, but chose not to tell friends until he received the all-clear in order to spare them from worry.
He admitted he didn't have time to be shocked as within ten days of his diagnosis he was in hospital undergoing surgery. After five hours on the operating table, his cancer was removed perfectly intact.
He kept the news secret for three years, undergoing bi-annual tests before getting the all clear.
Last month, Eric branded his Monty Python co-star John Cleese 'a grumpy old man' as he complained about still having to work aged 83.
The comedian isn't on speaking terms with his Python co-stars amid a bitter falling out over the management of the group's finances.
John, 87, spoke out against 'bullying' Eric last September, after the latter had publicly criticised Python's manager Holly Gilliam, daughter of Terry, for alleged mismanagement, claiming that Holly is the reason he has to continue to work into his eighties.
Last month, Eric branded his Monty Python co-star John Cleese 'a grumpy old man' as he bemoaned about still having to work aged 83 (Eric in Monty Python with Michael Palin)
Eric has insisted he won't be joining his co-stars in a planned tour later this year and called Cleese 'a grumpy old man' (Cleese pictured in June 2026)
Eric has insisted he won't be joining John, Holly and Michael Palin in a planned tour later this year.
'Look, I haven't seen any of them for ten years and we are at an inflection point business-wise,' he said. 'There'll be a meeting soon so I won't comment. I don't want to be the one carping in the corner.
'I love working but it's f***ing tiring at my age,' he added.
During the interview with The Sunday Times, Eric took particular aim at John, criticising his politics and his recent backing of the Restore leader, Rupert Lowe.
'Age is a difficult thing,' Eric said. 'I say you either become old and better, or old and bitter. You know, we worked together for years and John was funny. He's probably still funny. You don't lose funny, or do you?'
Referring to John's famous Basil Fawlty character, Idle added that 'a young man parroting an old man being grumpy is funny. But just turning into a grumpy old man, that's less funny, isn't it?'
Eric, who is currently promoting his memoir, also took aim at the business affairs of the Python cast, insisting it 'is still a mess'.
He added that YouTube airing Python sketches for free is 'just stealing', and 'that's how these tech guys become billionaires while I'm still f***ing working at 83. What about my family?'
Eric publicly criticised the Pythons' manager Holly, who took over the Python brand in 2013 as part of HDG Projects Ltd, in a 2024 social media rant.
He said on Twitter: 'I don't know why people always assume we're loaded.
'I have to work for my living. I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously. I have been working and earning for Pythons since 1995. And now no more.'