MONTY PYTHON'S MEANIE OF LIFE...

Eric Idle brands John Cleese a 'bully' & feels 'ashamed' of inaction

- ASHLEIGH RAINBIRD

ERIC Idle has described his Monty Python co-star John Cleese as a bully, and added the pair have not spoken for seven years.

Eric, 80, claims fellow Python member Terry Jones was picked on in particular.

Eric said: "[John] bullied Jonesy. I always felt ashamed we did nothing." He added: "I still love and am proud of what we did as Python.

"It was a very unique group. I think of us as an ex-Liverpool team.

"We played together well, way back in the day. But it was never very supportive of people's feelings and emotions. Not brothers. Colleagues." The comedian and actor added he still has to work for financial reasons.

Eric, who said he sold his home last year, has also criticised TV lawyer Holly Gilliam, whose dad is Python star Terry Gilliam, 83.