Monty Python legend Eric Idle cancels tour amid health concerns
Eric Idle has apologised to fans after doctors advised him to abandon eight shows across Australia and New Zealand.
Eric Idle has apologised to fans after doctors advised him to abandon eight shows across Australia and New Zealand.
The 83-year-old Monty Python star had been due to begin his 'An Evening of Idle Conversation' tour at Melbourne's Palais Theatre on 22 November, with the final performance scheduled for Perth on 12 December.
In a statement shared by the venues, Idle said he had made the decision with "great regret" and explained that he could not ignore medical advice.
He added: "when the doctors talk, I must listen."
The comedian did not disclose the health issue behind the cancellation, and organisers have not announced replacement dates.
Idle told fans he was sorry for the disruption and expressed hope that he would eventually be able to return.
He said: "I will do all I can to get back there soon, health permitting."
Ticket holders will receive refunds automatically, with Melbourne's Palais Theatre confirming that payments will be returned to the original card used for the booking.
The planned run included three New Zealand appearances, beginning in Auckland on 24 November, followed by Christchurch on 26 November and Wellington on 29 November.
In Australia, he had also been booked to appear in Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide before closing the tour in Perth.
Rather than a traditional stand-up show, the evenings were billed as unscripted conversations about his life, with opportunities for audience questions.
Idle was expected to revisit his childhood, his years at Cambridge and the friendships that shaped his comedy career.
The programme also promised memories of late friends including Monty Python colleague Graham Chapman, musician George Harrison and actor Robin Williams.
The performances were intended to accompany his latest memoir, 'Idle in Provence: A Brief History of Thyme', which looks back at his experiences in the south of France.
When the tour was announced in September, Idle said the book had inspired him to take his stories on the road again.
He previously toured Australia in 2024, giving fans the chance to hear anecdotes from a career spanning more than six decades.
As a member of Monty Python, Idle appeared in the troupe's television sketches and films, including 'Life of Brian'.
He also wrote 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' and created the musical 'Spamalot', based on 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'.
