Both of the following letters are courtesy of Matt Hyde, who originally shared them back in 2014 on Twitter. I was reminded of them this morning when I read that it’s Michael Palin’s 79th birthday. Enjoy!

In the 1980s, when old-fashioned fan clubs were all the rage, a 14-year-old Monty Python devotee named Matt Hyde wrote to John Cleese and asked whether such a club existed in his name. Thankfully the answer was no, as Cleese’s reply was far more valuable and entertaining than a simple yes could ever have been. Better still, Hyde then followed up by asking Palin about the murders. A response soon arrived.

Dear Matthew

I am afraid I’m much too important to write notes to people like you. 

Please remember that I am very very very very very very important. 

However, there is no John Cleese fan club (despite my importance) because they were all murdered in 1983 by Michael Palins’ fan club. 

I enclose a photograph to remind you of my importance. 

Yours sincerely, 

JOHN CLEESE

I’m sorry John Cleese should consider his fans as ‘murdered’ by us in 1983. I think it was a merciful release for these poor deluded victims. I am healthy, well and have no worries about being…

Signed for Michael Palin in his absence by Eric Idle