'I've seen Holy Grail 7,000 times' - John Cleese

Comedy legend John Cleese is going on a theatre tour presenting a screening of one of his most famous films, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

The film and TV actor will introduce the 1975 classic British movie as well as answer questions from the audience.

The tour begins in Basingstoke on 1 September and takes in venues including Tunbridge Wells and Woking.

Cleese told BBC South East Today: "We show the film, but I don't watch it as I've seen it over 7,000 times."

He added: "So, I go round the corner and have dinner and then come back and answer questions from the audience.

"It's now rated as the 13th funniest film ever made and we had no idea what we were doing.

"The whole thing is a kind of minor miracle.

"It's extraordinary. I come out and introduce the film for about 15 minutes and I tell them about the history and how we came to make it."

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a 1975 comedy film based on the Arthurian legend and a follow-on from the popular Monty Python's Flying Circus TV series.

It stars Cleese alongside Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin.

Cleese played Sir Lancelot the Brave, The Black Knight, Tim the Enchanter and other roles.

He said: "I remember making the film was extremely uncomfortable.

"It was in Scotland in April and we had a tiny budget.

"We made the whole movie for £240,000.

"We couldn't afford many umbrellas and it rained the whole time."

The 86-year-old actor said he had no plans to retire.

"I've always done what I'm interested in rather than bigger things," he said.

"I worked for the BBC. For the first Monty Python show I got £280.

"You don't get rich working for the BBC, but that is where the best comedy was made.

"Making people laugh is so great, because laughter is so good for us."

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