Michael Palin opens up about Terry Jones' progressive dementia

Monty Python’s Michael Palin has commented on the progressive state of Terry Jones’ dementia – a disorder that has gradually affected the star’s ability to communicate.

Michael, 74, recently revealed that Terry’s sense of humour has been unaffected by the frontotemporal dementia, which he was diagnosed with in September.

The comic actor’s close friend admitted: “I’m as confused as anybody else about his dementia. When we meet, we have a good old hug.

“We sit and I just natter away. That seems to work. Terry can’t talk much and he tunes in and out. Lots and lots of friends and family spend a lot of time with him.”

Speaking about the advanced nature of his condition, Michael added to the Radio Times: “Maybe there will come a time when he doesn’t recognise people – that would be hard to take. I feel I don’t want to lose him.”

He also recently revealed that Terry’s deterioration had been “painful to watch”, especially as he “lost the power of communication.”

“It is very, very sad for someone who lived by words and arguments, debates and mischief and all that kind of stuff,” Michael said at the BFI & Radio Times Television Festival last month.

“He has lost the power of getting a sentence out and all that. But I see him regularly,” he added.

The 75-year-old exhibited signs of a speech impairment in October, when his son Bill helped his father to the stage at the BAFTA Cymru Awards ceremony.

Terry received a standing ovation as he collected a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to television and film, but the only words that he was able to utter were to tell the audience to “quieten down.”

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