Monty Python: East Grinstead couple meet Carol Cleveland

Carol, often referred to as the "seventh Python", was a surprise guest when John Wood and Gemma Harris married in a Python-themed wedding in 2019 and the three have since become friends.

And on Saturday they met for lunch in Shoreham, where Carol lives, to talk about Python's success some 50 years on.

John said: “I couldn’t believe it, I have been a lifelong devoted fan.

“We loved it. Carole was showing us her Python archive and it was mind blowing to be talking to Carole who I have been a fan of since I was a schoolboy.

John Wood and Gemma Harris, right, and Carole Cleveland, left (Image: John Wood)

“She was so generous and it has been great to keep in touch all this time.”

John and Gemma, who live in East Grinstead, met on Pythonesque Dating, a Facebook page set up by John, and tied the knot in a themed wedding in Sharpthorne. The ceremony was dedicated to Monty Python on the 50th anniversary of their first show.

John, 63, and Gemma, 39, sat with a giant dead parrot at their top table and had numerous nods to the troupe including a “Silly Walks Zone” and a 16-tonne weight above the dance floor.

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The couple spent their honeymoon travelling to Scotland to visit Doune Castle where much of Monty Python And The Holy Grail was filmed.

John Wood and Gemma Harris on their wedding day

At Saturday's lunch, John and Gemma showed Carol their version of the Python’s “Buying a Bed” sketch which was filmed for and shown at their big day.

Monty Python shot to fame in the 1970s through films and TV shows including Life Of Brian and The Meaning Of Life.

The group consisted of comedians Michael Palin, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones.