Monty Python star takes part in 'dementia walk' one year on from diagnosis

Monty Python star Terry Jones put his best foot forward and joined in with over 3,500 other walkers at the Alzheimer’s Society’s London ‘Memory Walk’, one year on from being diagnosed with a rare form of dementia.

Terry and Sally Jones. Credit Alzheimer's Society

The comedy legend was accompanied on the walk by his daughter, Sally Jones, and former partner Alison Telfer.

According to Ms Telfer, they had been wanting to take part in a fundraising event to raise awareness about dementia for some time. She said: “Terry can't speak because he is living with a rare form of dementia and it is just so awful because he can't do all the things that he used to do.

“But he still enjoys going out for long hikes and so we took part in our local Memory Walk because we wanted to support him continue to do things he loves and because it was for a cause close to our hearts.”

The Monty Python comedian and actor is well known for his energetic performances where he often portrayed pantomime dame-like female characters.

Last year, the 75-year-old was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of dementia called primary progressive aphasia (PPA). PPA is a neurological condition, not to be confused with Alzheimer’s, which can have similar symptoms, according to The National Aphasia Society.

The condition is a variant of frontotemporal dementia and affects the ability to communicate, and eventually, speak.

Terry, who was born in Wales, announced his diagnosis at the Bafta Cymru awards last year. He received a special award for his outstanding contribution to film and television.

The comedian was helped on stage by his son, and he received a warm hug from old friend and fellow Python, Michael Palin, who went on to say: “Life seemed more exciting when Terry was around.

“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.”

Mr Palin also put a touching message on facebook about his friend, saying: “Terry J has been my close friend and workmate for over fifty years. The progress of his dementia has been painful to watch and the news announced yesterday that he has a type of aphasia which is gradually depriving him of the ability to speak is about the cruellest thing that could befall someone to whom words, ideas, arguments, jokes and stories were once the stuff of life.”

Terry is one of around 110,000 walkers, set to raise £9 million for the dementia charity this autumn from thirty-four flagship Memory Walks taking place nationwide.

The event was opened by TV ‘Loose Woman’ and ‘Birds of a Feather’ star Linda Robson, who talked about the walk with Terry. She said: “It was really lovely to meet Terry on the Memory Walk because he is one of our all-time comedy greats and he’s still got a mischievous glint in his eyes.”

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said: “I am so glad that Terry joined Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk. Not only is he show-business royalty, but his presence gave so many people who were taking part a real lift as he showed that he is determined to battle dementia with everything he’s got.”

To sign up to Memory Walk, register at memorywalk.org.uk to find a walk near you.