HE’S written and directed Hollywood movies, performed in front of thousands and was once a part of probably the most iconic group of comedy performers in the world.

HE’S written and directed Hollywood movies, performed in front of thousands and was once a part of probably the most iconic group of comedy performers in the world.

But former Python Terry Jones has never yet had the honour of opening a good old traditional English fete.

That is all about to change for the man who was famed for playing middle-aged women in the Monty Python Flying Circus sketches.

On Sunday, June 19 Mr Jones, who starred in Python alongside John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Graham Chapman, is set to open the summer fete at the Leonard Cheshire Home in Brampton.

The charity, which cares for adults with disabilities, is well-known for attracting famous faces to its annual summer fete, including Geoff Capes and Maureen Lipman. Jones told The Hunts Post he was looking forward to popping along.

“I’ve never opened a fete before, so I’m delighted to do it,” he said. “I think the Leonard Cheshire does a really good job and I’m all in favour of the work they do.”

For those who have not followed Jones’ career, the 69-year-old has been keeping more than busy since his Monty Python days.

After beating bowel cancer in 2006, he became a father for the third time in 2009 and has just finished working on an opera with Oscar-winning composer Anne Dudley.

“I recently met Anne and she asked me to write a libretto for an opera she was producing as part of the Royal Opera House’s Opera Shots.”

In true Jones-style he explained: “We came up with a wonderful opera called The Doctor’s Tale about a fantastic doctor who is loved by his patients and has a 100 per cent cure rate.

“The only thing is he’s told by the General Medical Council that he has to resign . . . because he’s a dog. They don’t care that he’s an amazing doctor, he has to resign because he’s a dog.”

Aside from his foray into opera, Jones has written three books and is currently working on a science-fiction comedy film.

But if he’s given the usual warm welcome at Leonard Cheshire on Sunday, he may well be opening a few more fetes.

INFORMATION: Terry Jones is opening the Leonard Cheshire summer fete at the home, Church Road, Brampton between noon and 3pm. For more information visit www.leonard-cheshire.org or phone 01480 413737