For more than 50 years, Eric Idle has been making the world laugh, whether it’s as a big screen actor, a bestselling author or through his work as a founding member of the iconic Monty Python comedy group – whose TV series spawned an array of stage shows, films, books and a smash-hit West End musical Spamalot.
But when a routine MRI four years ago led to a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, the living legend was left fighting for his life and not knowing if he would ever get to perform again.
“In those situations the hardest thing is not you, but your loved ones,” the 81-year-old admits to Woman’s Day. “You’re in good hands, being a patient, being looked after – even if you are prodded and drugged and walking around with your bum out – but it’s your wife and kids who suffer, and that’s hard.”
Pancreatic cancer has the third lowest survival rate of all cancers (behind lung and colon cancer). Thankfully, Eric was one of the very lucky ones.
LUCK ON THE SIDE OF ERIC IDLE
“Well, it’s like a reprieve,” he says of his near-miss. “One moment you’re standing at the edge of the shadowy valley, and the next the sun shines and you’ve been granted a few more years.
“I think it’s impossible to be human and not learn and be grateful for the extra time. I think you determine not to waste any more life on negative thoughts or negative people.”
While a brush with cancer hit his own mortality home, the performer has been synonymous with death for quite a long time through his musical hit, Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life – a song that’s officially become the most requested funeral song in the UK for the last 20-plus years. And the title of the song is an ethos he practises.
“I think I’m an optimist in the morning and a pessimist at night,” says the British-born performer. “But since I do my writing in the morning, that view prevails. I guess you have to be an optimist to sit down with an empty page and a pencil. No pessimist would get out of bed!”
Indeed, it’s this “glass half full” approach that’s seen the comic create his first full tour since getting the all-clear – a new one-man show titled Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, Live!
“It’s a new show and packed with my all-time favourite clips, new stories and some unexpected things,” Eric explains of the upcoming stage show, which he will tour nationally around Australia from late October. “I love surprising audiences, making them laugh and making them think.”
The nostalgic performance will also feature tributes to some of his late, great celebrity pals, including Robin Williams, and Beatles legend George Harrison. “I miss them both every day,” he says, reflectively. “George was hilarious and Robin was a genius. With both of them it was love at first sight.
“I could play guitar with George and we jammed for years. With Robin we had many great times on holiday. I remember us touring a deserted Pompeii and he did a hilarious commentary of the place in a camp Italian accent. Giggling around Pompeii is still my favourite memory.
SPECIAL MEMORIES
“This is life and it doesn’t last long and I’ve met some fine people along the way, so I want to celebrate them.”
The new show is undeniably sentimental and fans will be eager to experience firsthand some of the work he created as a founding member of Monty Python. But while the Python team remains beloved with fans, in recent years they’ve made headlines due to rifts over earnings and social media spats.
“I’ve known them for over 60 years, but time passes,” says Eric of his relationship with the remaining Python members.
“I haven’t seen them for almost 10 years. And we weren’t friends, we were colleagues. I think we worked together very well, and stayed together for a remarkably long time.
“We cannot go back,” he says when asked about the prospect of a Python reunion. “I think it’s remarkable that the work we did has lasted for so long but comedy isn’t supposed to survive – it’s about the moment. The Pythons will always be connected by the work they did, that’s a pretty great legacy.”
While he’s been in comedy for five decades, one thing’s for certain – Eric isn’t ready to stop making us laugh just yet.
“It’s an honour,” he enthuses. “I think my greatest moment was singing Bright Side live to two billion people at the closing of the London Olympics and I’m still very moved that people choose my song for the funerals of their loved ones. That song has had an incredible effect, not only on my life but on the lives of others.”
Don’t miss an unforgettable evening with comedy legend Eric Idle! Grab your tickets to see him perform in Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, Live!, at Ticketek.
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