Monty Python star told illness was ‘quick way’ to kill character before getting it himself

Monty Python star Eric Idlehas revealed that he once asked a doctor to name an illness that could quickly "get rid of a character", only to be diagnosed with the very same condition himself. In a new interview, the 82-year-old opened up about the strange turn of events relating to his health, and a project he undertook nearly two decades ago.

In a comedy career spanning decades, Eric has appeared in a number of hit films, including the Monty Python features Holy Grail, Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life alongside John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, and Terry Jones. However, around 18 years ago, Eric worked on Death: The Musical, a project that features a lead character suffering from a devastating illness - one which he later became diagnosed with himself in 2019.

Eric told the Sunday Times: "Before I had pancreatic cancer, I went to my doctor and said, 'I've got to get rid of a character - what's the quickest way?' He said: 'Pancreatic cancer, you may only have three weeks or three months'."

He added: "And then, 12 years later, we're looking at a screen and I said, 'What's that?' And (the doctor) said 'Pancreatic cancer'. And I laughed, because I thought it was very funny."

According to Cancer Research UK, almost 30 out of every 100 (almost 30%) survive their cancer for one year or more after they are diagnosed, while roughly 10 out of every 100 (almost 10%) survive their cancer for five years or more.

Fortunately, Eric's cancer was discovered early, and he subsequently underwent surgery ten days later. He declared he was "still here" but "just about" before expressing his gratitude, saying he'd had a "reprieve" and life is "really great".

Last year, Eric revealed that he was still working for financial purposes, noting on X that he "never dreamed" that "income streams would tail off so disastrously".

Taking to X (previously Twitter), he said:"I don't mind not being wealthy. I prefer being funny."

The NHS says pancreatic cancer refers to cancer that's located anywhere in the organ, which is situated in the top portion of your stomach and aids in digestion and creates homones, including insulin.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include jaundice (when the skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow), appetite loss, weight loss, fatigue, and high temperatures, as well as various issues relating to your digestion.

They can include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, other changes to your stool, stomach and back pain, and indigestion symptoms, including feeling bloated.

The NHS advises requesting an urgent appointment with your doctor or call NHS 111 if you experience jaundice, have been sick for more than two days, have had diarrhoea for more than seven days, or have other symptoms you're concerned about.

For more information about pancreatic cancer, visit the website here.