40th anniversary celebrations

The surviving members of Monty Python are to reunite to receive a special Bafta honouring their outstanding contribution to film and television.

John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin will collect the award at the official 40th anniversary Monty Python Reunion in New York in October.

Bafta chairman David Parfitt said: ‘We're absolutely delighted to co-host this event. It promises to be a rare and memorable occasion bringing the hugely talented Monty Python team together again.

‘We feel that the special award is a fitting tribute to this much-loved and singularly British institution.’

John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin will take part in a Q&A session before receiving the award on October 5.

And all the team except Cleese will also be appearing in the European premiere of Idle's oratorio Not The Messiah (He's A Very Naughty Boy) at the Royal Albert Hall on October 23.

Published: 18 Aug 2009