Monty Python fans have been invited to rub Terry Jones’s bottom for good luck after the late star was immortalised in a naked statue.
Sally Jones, the daughter of the funny man, who died in 2020, encouraged supporters of the comedy troupe to make the cheeky gesture.
It comes after a model of Jones, created in consultation with his family, was unveiled in his hometown of Colwyn Bay, north Wales, on Saturday.
The bronze sculpture depicts the actor as the nude organist, a character he played in the much-loved sketch comedy television series Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
Ms Jones told Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘People can come and sit down on the bench next to him. They can put their hands on the piano.
‘They can see every element of the statue. And hopefully people will enjoy it and possibly rub his bum for luck.’
Michael Palin, Jones’s Monty Python co-star, similarly said he hoped his friend’s ‘wonderfully generous bottom’ can be ‘an emblem of the town he loved so much’.
The statue, made by sculptor Nick Elphick, was funded by fans of the comedy troupe across the world, according to The Telegraph.
Sally Jones, the daughter of the funny man, who died in 2020, encouraged supporters of the comedy troupe to make the cheeky gesture. Pictured: Jones’s Python co-star Terry Gilliam touches the statue’s backside
It comes after a model of Jones (pictured, in 2012), created in consultation with his family, was unveiled in his hometown of Colwyn Bay, north Wales, on Saturday
Three other Python members – John Cleese, Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam – supported the campaign, which raised more than £120,000 for the statue’s creation.
They were joined in their efforts by fellow actors Emma Thompson, Steve Coogan and Suzy Eddie Izzard.
Thousands gathered to watch the sculpture’s unveiling at the weekend, including Palin and Gilliam.
The pair led the crowds in singing Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, their co-star Idle’s iconic comedy song from the 1979 film Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
They were also the first to rub the statue’s backside – and were joined by frequent Python collaborator Carol Cleveland in marking the occasion.
Palin also spoke out in tribute to Jones, describing him as ‘loyal’, ‘funny’ and ‘bright’, with ‘so many virtues’.
The late comedian was born in Colwyn Bay before his family moved away when he was around five years old.
But he remained connected to the town throughout his life, later becoming patron of Theatre Colwyn and helping to support its renovation in 2011.
The bronze sculpture depicts the actor as the nude organist (pictured), a character he played in the much-loved sketch comedy television series Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Michael Palin (left), Jones’s Monty Python co-star, said he hoped his friend’s ‘wonderfully generous bottom’ can be ‘an emblem of the town he loved so much’. Pictured: Palin, with Python co-star Gilliam, right, and frequent collaborator Carol Cleveland, centre
Thousands gathered (pictured) to watch the sculpture’s unveiling at the weekend
Jones (centre, with co-stars Eric Idle, left, and Graham Chapman, right) starred in, co-wrote and directed 1979 film Monty Python’s Life of Brian (pictured) and 1983 film The Meaning of Life
Jones starred in, co-wrote and directed Life of Brian and 1983 film The Meaning of Life.
He co-directed 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail with Gilliam and co-wrote TV series Ripping Yarns with Palin, who he met at the University of Oxford.
The comedian died aged 77 from a rare form of dementia – and his family hope the statue will bring comfort to others who have lost loved ones to the condition.
Ms Jones said his relatives chose to depict him as the nude organist as they knew he would not have wished to be portrayed in a ‘boring’ way or just as himself.
Sculptor Mr Elphick, from nearby Llandudno, said: ‘I hope rubbing his bum for luck will become a new tradition!’
He said he felt it was especially important to get Jones’s smile right – and he tried out ten different facial expressions before settling on his final design.
‘I hope I have done him justice,’ Mr Elphick said.
‘I feel like I’m the luckiest sculptor ever, a little bit of being in the right place, at the right time, to bring Terry Jones back to north Wales.’
Dilwyn Price, chairman of Conwy Arts Trust, said: ‘Conwy Arts Trust have been privileged to be partners in this exciting project to pay tribute to the acclaimed actor, author and historian, who never forgot his Welsh heritage and especially his Colwyn Bay and Old Colwyn roots.
‘The inspirational statue will be a lasting testimony to Terry Jones and a reminder to everyone who sees the statue that we have not forgotten him.’
