Monty Python star John Cleese hits out at fellow Python whose claims are ‘pure fiction’

John Cleese, member of the iconic Monty Python, star of Fawlty Towers and naysayer of “wokeness” has hit back against claims that he fired the comedy troupe’s former manager.

Cleese took to X (formally Twitter) to refute claims made by fellow Python member Eric Idle who accused him of firing manager Jim Beach and installing Holly Gillam (daughter of Terry Gillam) in his place.

Idle claimed this was the reason their relationship had deteriorated.

“I don’t mind but once they put Gillam’s daughter in as Manager and Cleese fires Jim Beach, well it’s over,” Idle wrote.

I don’t mind but once they put Gilliams daughter in as Manager and Cleese fires Jim Beach, well it’s over. https://t.co/ViAMuX6nRt

— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) February 12, 2024

Not one to take the matter lying down, Cleese hit back on his X account and said that Idle’s claims were “pure fiction.”

“Jim, who was an old friend of mine from Cambridge days, became Python manager after the O2 show. About four years ago he suffered a bad stroke and subsequently resigned as our manager,” Cleese wrote.

“His number 2, Holly Gilliam, automatically took over as Python manager.”

This is an invention

Jim, who was an old friend of mine from Cambridge days, became Python manager after the O2 show

About four years ago he suffered a bad stroke and subsequently resigned as our manager

His number 2, Holly Gilliam, automatically took over as Python manager https://t.co/SsucYmnXkQ

— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) September 17, 2024

This recent spate comes after Idle had publicly blamed Holly and Terry Gillam for mismanaging the Python brand and said they were the reason he still had to work at 81 years old.

According to Cleese though Michael Palin and Terry Gillam all endorsed Holly’s management of the troupe, with Cleese publicly stating, “I find her very efficient, clear-minded, hard-working, and pleasant.”

And added, “Michael Palin has asked me to make it clear that he shares this opinion. Terry Gilliam is also in agreement with this.”

Cleese had previously shared his thoughts on X after Idle claimed the way the group was managed was a “disaster,” and claimed their income streams had dried up.

“We always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge,” he wrote.

We always loathed and despised each other, but it’s only recently that the truth has begun to emerge https://t.co/QYQNrSogJ6

— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) February 13, 2024

This is not the first time Cleese has shared his thoughts in public after voicing his criticism of political correctness and cancel culture. 

The 84-year-old Monty Python star recently reflected on his time working on GB News show The Dinosaur Hour, which ran for 10 episodes in 2023 and featured interviews with Stephen Fry, Caitlyn Jenner and others.

“I was allowed to say what I wanted and enjoyed that,” Cleese told The Oldie magazine.

“On one program, we had three academics and discussed this whole woke business.

“What annoys me is how some people think they have invented kindness, but kindness has always been there.

“Kindness is everywhere, and much of my comedy is about teasing people with affection.”