Eric Idle opens up about being cured of cancer at 79

Eric Idle has opened up about why he decided to keep his cancer diagnosis private and being cured of the disease at the age of 79.

The Monty Python legend told The Guardian that he 'just got on with it' after doctors told him he had pancreatic cancer three years ago.

Idle has only recently made his diagnosis public and revealed he was lucky after the cancer was found early after the comedian agreeing to take part in some tests to assist a friend who is a doctor.

Read more: Monty Python star Eric Idle 'grateful to be alive' after surviving pancreatic cancer

Talking about how he reacted when he found out he had cancer, Idle said: "I didn't cry till I knew I was going to live. I just got on with it. I'm British! You try not to show emotions in the face of danger."

Idle also said he recently received the all-clear after the cancer was found just in time: "I've been living six months to six months on tests. I didn't know how much longer I had. I saw my doctor recently, and that's when I got the real shock. I asked him how long I had left, and he said '10 years'."

Since being given the all-clear, Idle has gone public about his diagnosis and has been working with Stand Up to Cancer to help raise awareness about the disease.

Idle recently appeared on the US version of The Masked Singer as part of an awareness campaign.

Pancreatic cancer is a usually incurable form of the disease as it is not often found until it is too late to remove the tumour surgically.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include jaundice, loss of appetite, feeling tired and having a high temperature.

It is the sixth most common cause of cancer death in the UK.

Watch below: Eric Idle talks about 'The Masked Singer'