Terry Jones has been diagnosed with dementia.
Jones was a founding member of Monty Python, who performed together on screen and stage from 1969 to 1983. The hugely influential troupe reunited for select live performances in 1989, 1998 and 2002, before ending their career together with 10 live shows at the O2 Arena in London in July 2014.
As BBC News reports, Jones has been diagnosed with a primary progressive aphasia, a severe variant of dementia which affects his ability to communicate. A spokesman said that the 74-year-old is now “unable to give interviews.”
Jones is set to be honoured by Bafta Cymru, who will present the Welsh-born comedian with an outstanding contribution award on 2 October. “Terry is proud and honoured to be recognised in this way and is looking forward to the celebrations,” his spokesman said about the award.
Jones directed the Python films The Life of Brian (1979) and The Meaning of Life (1983), while he co-directed The Holy Grail with fellow Python Terry Gilliam in 1975.
See a clip from The Holy Grail, starring Jones, below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjz16xjeBAA
Monty Python consisted of six primary members, including Jones, Gilliam, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle and the late Graham Chapman, who died in 1989.