Legendary BBC comedy show to be immortalised on Royal Mail stamps

Royal Mail is set to honour “one of Britain’s most influential and enduring comedy troupes” – Monty Python, with a special set of 10 stamps.

The primary collection of six stamps pays homage to iconic characters from the BBC TV series Monty Python’s Flying Circus, which aired from 1969 to 1974. The sketches are so beloved that fans across generations can still recite every line.

These stamps will feature classic moments such as the Spanish Inquisition, the Ministry Of Silly Walks, the Lumberjack Song, the Dead Parrot Sketch, Nudge Nudge, and Spam.

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Monty Python, formed in 1969, became one of the UK’s most celebrated comedy groups, featuring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Sir Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam.

Additionally, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the cult classic film Monty Python And The Holy Grail, four more stamps are presented in a miniature sheet.

The stamps depict memorable scenes including The Black Knight’s stubborn “‘Tis but a scratch!”, King Arthur and his knights embarking on their holy quest, and Sir Robin’s run-in with the Three-Headed Giant: “You’re lucky, you’re not next to him!”.

Sir Michael Palin couldn’t resist a quip, saying: “Very glad to share a stamp with the nude organist!”.

David Gold of Royal Mail expressed pride in the troupe’s legacy, stating: “Monty Python has left an indelible mark on global comedy, all while remaining unmistakably British at its core.

“From their groundbreaking television debut to a string of iconic films, this stamp collection honours a body of work that has shaped the comedic landscape for nearly six decades.”

The troupe transitioned from their TV success to creating memorable movies such as 1979’s ‘Life Of Brian’, which tells the tale of a chap mistaken for Jesus; and 1983’s ‘The Meaning Of Life’.

At 82, Idle has made his mark with the medieval musical ‘Spamalot’, bagging a Tony award for best musical following its stint on Broadway.

Chapman succumbed to tonsil cancer in 1989 at the age of 48, while Jones passed away due to an uncommon dementia variant in 2020, aged 77.

These commemorative stamps, along with an assortment of collectable items, are up for pre-order starting August 7 and will be widely available from August 14.