North Wales Police issued an update, after the recently unveiled statue of a Monty Python star was damaged by vandals. A bronze statue of Terry Jones was targeted less than a month after it was unveiled.
The effigy, celebrating him as the Monty Python’s Nude Organist, was erected in his home town of Colwyn Bay as a permanent tribute to the late comedian, writer and historian.
The statue’s “wonderfully generous bottom” was undamaged but two door knockers were pulled off. These referenced animated characters from the 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth for which Terry Jones wrote the screenplay.
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The inncident upset the Llandudno-based sculptor Nick Elphick, who created the eye-catching statue. He said the damaged parts had been recovered by bypassers and safeguarded in the hope the damage can be repaired.
Mr Elphick said it was “very, very sad”. “Bit upset, can’t believe it really, I’m actually gutted,” he said.
North Wales Police confirmed yesterday that two suspects have been identified in connection with damage to the statue.
A spokesperson added: “Police enquiries into the incident led to two local people being interviewed by officers today, Friday 22 May.
“A joint investigation with Conwy Council is ongoing.”
The life-size statue was unveiled at the star’s hometown on Saturday, April 25. Hundreds of Monty Python fans were joined by Sir Michael Palin and Eddie Izzard for its unveiling. It’s since attracted large numbers of visitors.
Mr Elphick finds one of the statue’s Labyrinth door knockers is missing its rapper(Image: Nick Elphick)
The statue shows Terry as the organist, nude apart from a flapping tie and “exploded” hair, grinning as he strikes his classic pose. It sits on the Promenade, not on a plinth, to give beachgoers easy access to photos.
This risks making it more vulnerable to vandalism. Bay of Colwyn town councillor Tina Lee is hopeful the culprits can be found.
Online, she said: “This is disappointing to say the least. Thank goodness CCTV cameras are there.”
The public can interact with the statue on Colwyn Bay promenade(Image: John Williams/North Wales Live)
Jones died in 2020 aged 77 from a rare form of dementia. A total of £120,000 was raised in six months to immortalise the comic genius in bronze.
A GoFundMe campaign, called “Python on the Prom”, was launched in 2024 by Sir Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam.
Speaking to the BBC, Sir Michael said the statue was a tribute to the lengths his friend was prepared to go to for comedy.
He added: “I hope his wonderfully generous bottom will become an emblem of the town he loved so much.”