Palin: 'Python is as alive as ever'

Michael Palin has claimed that Monty Python is as alive as ever.

Along with Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and John Cleese, Palin was a member of the comedy troupe which worked together between 1969 and 1983.

Asked if people still recite the team's sketches to him, Palin told Metro: "Python is as alive now as it ever was. I'm still recognised from Monty Python, even though we did it 40 years ago.

"You've just got to say 'ni' to a Python fan and they crease up. I'm often asked to write Python material when I do a book signing. I just write 'ni'. It saves me having to remember lyrics from the songs."

Quizzed on his proudest career moments, he added: "I'm very proud of the fish-slapping dance we did in Python. We rehearsed this silly dance where John Cleese hits me with a fish and I fall into Teddington Lock.

"We were so intent on getting the dance right that I didn't notice the lock had cleared and instead of it being a 2ft drop into the water it was a 15ft drop. I'm very proud of doing that."