Michael Palin opens up about Terry Jones' dementia: 'I just feel I don't want to lose him'
MICHAEL PALIN has spoken out about the sad news of his close friend Terry Jones' dementia, after the Monty Python star revealed his struggle to the public last year.
Michael Palin opened up about his close friend Terry Jones' dementia
Terry, 75, announced that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in September, a condition which affects the ability to communicate as well as diminishing planning and decision making capacities.
Michael, 74, recently said that Terry's sense of humour has been unaffected by his condition, and now he has opened up about his friend's current state.
"I'm as confused as anybody else about his dementia," Michael told the Radio Times. "When we meet we have a good old hug. We sit and I just natter away and that seems to work.
Terry went public with his dementia diagnosis last September
Michael said that he felt he 'didn't want to lose' Terry
Monty Python star Terry Jones receives BAFTA award
"Terry can't talk much and he tunes in and out," he admitted, explaining that many of the comedian's friends and family spend plenty of time with him.
"Maybe there will come a time when he doesn't recognise people and that would be very hard to take," Michael continued. "I just feel I don't want to lose him."
Michael, who regularly visits Terry, recently revealed that he had "lost the power of communication", confessing that it was sad to see his friend unable to engage in debates and mischief as he had once loved doing.
Speaking during a Q&A session at the BFI and Radio Times Television Festival last month, he said that Terry could no longer get a whole sentence out.
Monty Python stars Michael and Terry have been friends for many years
Terry's struggle with speech become apparent to the public when he attended the BAFTA Cymru ceremony last year where we was honoured with a special award for outstanding contribution to film and television.
The star received a standing ovation at the event as his son, Bill Jones, spoke on his behalf as he accepted the award.
The only words Terry seemed to be able to utter was to tell the audience to "quieten down".
Read the full interview in this week's Radio Times, out now.