Terry Jones’ son has an emotional breakdown

Mr Jones, 74, picked up the award yesterday after almost 50 years of work, both with the Monty Python team and as a director and documentary presenter.

His son, Bill, held his father’s hand as the audience greeted the pair to the Cardiff stage with a standing ovation.

Mr Jones, who suffers from primary progressive aphasia – a form of dementia that affects his ability to communicate – joked to the crowd to “quiet down” before his son took over to make a short speech.

Read more: Monty Python star’s “severe” health diagnosis

Tears came to his son’s eyes as he said: “We would like to thank everyone. I know it’s a great honour for dad to win this award.

“The struggles we’ve been going through … We are so proud of him.”

Presenting the award on the 25th anniversary of the event was Mr Jones’s Monty Python co-star Michael Palin.

Before welcoming his friend to the stage with an affectionate embrace, he described the pair’s experiences working and studying together at Oxford.

“Life seemed more exciting when Terry was around,” he said.

“The first sketch we performed was as a pair of police officers at the Edinburgh festival and for the next few years we were inseparable.

“His force of character and tireless workaholism kept us all up to the mark. He has been relentlessly prolific while being a wonderful friend.”

The event’s host, Huw Stephens, described Mr Jones as a “national treasure”.

Has dementia affected your life or someone you know? Were you a big fan of Monty Python?