Former Monty Python member Eric Idle has condemned a post shared on the comedy troupe’s official Twitter page, in light of the opening of restaurants and pubs in England.
As of Saturday morning, the partial easing of most lockdown measures around England has begun, and the official Monty Python Twitter account marked the occasion with a throwback post.
“It’s time to dust off your finest attire now that pubs & restaurants are open from tomorrow,” they wrote, alongside a photo of the comedians on the set of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. “Which Python will be inspiring your outfit?”
Hours later, Eric fired off a response making it clear that this was not a message he endorsed.
“Do not listen. This is shit advice,” he insisted. “I have nothing to do with this.
“In the wise words of my wife. ‘What has changed?’. Nothing. There is no cure, there is no vaccine.”
Referencing the famous song from Monty Python And The Holy Grail, he added: “Go out at your peril. Mingle at your own risk. Just remember, ‘Bring out your dead’.”
Doubling down on his message, he later tweeted: “Unless your pub is called The Grim Reaper you should stay home.
“Listening to medical advice from politicians is why America is currently a raging wildfire of epidemia. Please be safe.”
Eric is one of the founding members of the Monty Python troupe, performing alongside Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.
The five surviving members of the group reunited for a 10-night residency at London’s O2 Arena in 2014, which sold out in under a minute and won positive reviews from critics.