News | Entertainment
13 Mar 2025 22:57
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Eric Idle "shouldn't be alive"

    The 81-year-old comedian underwent surgery after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019, and was thankful the disease was caught early as he now enjoys "every moment" of his life


    Asked if having cancer had changed him, he told The Times newspaper: "Oh, I shouldn't be alive. I'm a lucky b****** and I enjoy every moment."

    The Monty Python star initially thought his doctor was joking when he broke the news of his diagnosis.

    He said: "I had been working on a project called 'Death: The Musical' and I asked my doctor which type of cancer I could use to finish off one of my characters. He said, 'Pancreatic cancer, it can finish people off in three weeks.'"

    Ten years later, Eric had routine tests with the same doctor and queried an ominous-looking blood result.

    The comic added: "He said, 'Pancreatic cancer' and I burst out laughing because I thought he must be joking."

    Eric's close friend George Harrison died of cancer in 2001 and he was by the Beatles legend's side to witness his "beautiful" passing.

    He said: "I was with George when he died and it was beautiful. He wasn't frightened or angry, he was very calm about the process. It was a lovely death to go through and we should talk about these things more because it's there for all of us."

    The comic - who has Carey, 51, with first wife Lyn Ashley and Lily, 33, with spouse Tania Kosevich - always valued the advice he received from the musician.

    He said: "George was a beautiful human being and taught me so much about handling one's ego.

    "I was moaning about the others one evening in Tunisia and George said to me, 'What do you think it's like for me trying to get a look-in with Lennon and McCartney?'

    "George Harrison was a man of immense grace and he taught me how to get through many challenges - life, death, divorce ...

    "When I was going through mine, George cheered me by telling me I was going to die. He said, 'You can have all the money and fame in the world but you're still going to die.'

    "That's the great leveller. That quells the ego. "

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     13 Mar: Prince William will make his first official overseas trip of the year to Estonia next week
     13 Mar: Eiza Gonzalez got fired from 'Sesame Street' for being a "complete menace"
     13 Mar: Sir Ian McKellen "feels sorry" for celebrities who don't feel like they can come out as gay
     13 Mar: Michael Fassbender thinks Rege-Jean Page would be "amazing" as James Bond
     13 Mar: Allegations against Nicolas Cage have been dismissed from his ex's lawsuit
     13 Mar: Cate Blanchett feels "quite dislocated" from film fans
     13 Mar: Emma Heming Willis has insisted "caregivers need care too" after the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The tension is rising at the Blues as they try to dig a way out of their Super Rugby hole More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Education Minister's making a pitch for wealthy investors to help fund New Zealand schools More...



     Today's News

    Business:
    The Education Minister's making a pitch for wealthy investors to help fund New Zealand schools 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Prince William will make his first official overseas trip of the year to Estonia next week 21:35

    Law and Order:
    Police are investigating a serious assault after finding a man in a critical condition in Hastings 21:17

    Motoring:
    Donald Trump just bought a Tesla to help his ally's ailing brand. But the Secret Service won't let him drive it 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Eiza Gonzalez got fired from 'Sesame Street' for being a "complete menace" 21:05

    Entertainment:
    Sir Ian McKellen "feels sorry" for celebrities who don't feel like they can come out as gay 20:35

    Entertainment:
    Michael Fassbender thinks Rege-Jean Page would be "amazing" as James Bond 20:05

    Entertainment:
    Allegations against Nicolas Cage have been dismissed from his ex's lawsuit 19:35

    Entertainment:
    Cate Blanchett feels "quite dislocated" from film fans 19:05

    Rugby:
    The tension is rising at the Blues as they try to dig a way out of their Super Rugby hole 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd