Monty Python rule out further tour after London shows

Fans of Monty Python will be left disappointed after the comics said their reunion concerts will not lead to a wider world tour.

The remaining members of the cult comedy troupe said they had "reluctantly decided" that their July 20 gig at the O2 in London will "probably be their last live performance together".

A statement released by their publicist said: "The Pythons had hoped to take up some of the many offers to perform at arenas all over the world, but individual commitments to other projects over the next three years has made this impossible."

But it promised the O2 shows would be "a dazzling spectacle featuring all of the favourite sketches, musicians, dancers, with set and lights by the creative team behind the London Olympic closing ceremony" and a "spectacular celebration" of their careers.

Tickets for the final show - one of 10 planned for the London venue - go on sale at noon tomorrow.

The gigs come more than 30 years after their last stage performance.

The group released a new song and video on YouTube today:

The veteran comedy troupe - John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones - announced their comeback in November and promised the return of some of their most famous routines, including a likely performance of the dead parrot sketch, but Cleese has ruled out a re-run of one of his best loved moments, the Ministry of Silly Walks.

"I have an artificial knee and an artificial hip so there's no chance of that," he said.

Idle said: "I think you can expect a little comedy, a lot of pathos, some music and a tiny bit of ancient sex."

The Pythons, whose last major live show was at the Hollywood Bowl in 1982, amassed millions of fans for their groundbreaking, anarchic comedy series and films, which also launched their own successful solo careers.