Monty Python star Eric Idle has spoken out against a Twitter post by the comedy troupe’s official Twitter page about the reopening of pubs.
Boris Johnson has given the greenlight for pubs and restaurants to reopen from Saturday (4 July) after four months of Covid-19 lockdown.
Despite this, many owners are expressing concerns about being able to comply with the regulations.
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To mark the occasion, Monty Python’s Twitter account shared a photo of the troupe, writing: “It’s time to dust off your finest attire now that pubs & restaurants are open from tomorrow.”
However, Idle was quick to denounce the post as “s*** advice”.
“Do not listen,” he wrote. “I have nothing to do with this. In the wise words of my wife. ‘What has changed?” Nothing. There is no cure, there is no vaccine. Go out at your peril. Mingle at your own risk.’”
He added: “Unless your pub is called The Grim Reaper, you should stay home. Please be safe.”
Idle was a founding member of Monty Python, and performed with John Cleese, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, who died in January.
The reopening of pubs and restaurant forms part of the prime minister’s “roadmap” for easing lockdown restrictions