HE’S not the messiah but this Monty Python fan has just been named as one of the world’s super-achievers.

No one knows more about the Norwegian blue, lemon curry, woody words or shrubberies than Monty Python super fan John Wood.

Now his extreme knowledge of the hit comedy group and his passion for their work has been recognised by US academic Professor Molly Lavik in her new book Going Supernova: The Bold Paths of 101 Superachievers.

John said: “People automatically think of money in terms of achievement, fast cars, employing thousands and big houses, which I certainly don’t have.

“But I think her message in the book is that there is more to life than that, and she is trying to encourage people to follow their passion.

“If there’s a message in Python then I think it’s not to take life so seriously.

“I think it also endures because even though it’s from the 60s, it’s still ahead of its time in the way it is shot and the use of stream of consciousness.”

Prof Lavik said that John knew more about the Python crew than they knew about themselves.

She said: “It is truly an honour to feature John Wood’s remarkable story in Going Supernova: The Bold Paths of 101 Superachievers.

“John truly embodies all the attributes I have found present in superachieving individuals.”

The 54-year-old said he first fell for the comedy troupe while watching the show on a black-and-white TV when it first appeared on screens in 1969.

Initially he was disappointed that there was no circus but his older brothers became instantly hooked. He became a big fan when a friend played him the Monty Python album.

The social media expert from Garden Wood Road, East Grinstead, said Monty Python has become a major part of his life, even shaping his choice of wife, who is also a big Python fan.

His obsession has extended to transcribing the film soundtrack to Monty Python and the Holy Grail for a friend’s Christmas present in 1979.

He has met all the surviving Python team – Graham Chapman died in 1989 – on several occasions.

He has visited locations where famous sketches were filmed, including Teddington Lock, of fish slapping sketch fame, and the London house which was used as a tobacconist’s shop in the Hungarian phrasebook sketch.

John has also watched the musical Spamalot 16 times, seen the highly-anticipated Monty Python Live at the O2 four times and had a special thanks credit in the 2009 documentary Almost The Truth after tracking down a Texas shop owner who also hailed from East Grinstead and ran a Monty Python festival in the US.

He won the title of biggest Python fan following a competition at the London Film Festival in 2012.