Monty Python’s Eric Idle explains why he revealed pancreatic cancer diagnosis on The Masked Singer-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro

The star urged people to donate to those suffering from pancreatic cancer (Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Monty Python star Eric Idle has explained why he decided to reveal his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, saying he feels ‘grateful to be alive’.

Earlier this month, the 79-year-old was revealed as Hedgehog on the US version of The Masked Singer, using his appearance on the show to announce that he was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago.

Following his elimination, the actor released a video urging people to donate to help those suffering from pancreatic cancer, having survived the condition himself.

Tonight, Eric is set to appear on The Graham Norton Show, where he shared why he decided to use The Masked Singer US as a platform to ‘raise awareness’ about the condition, which is the 10th most common cancer in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK.

The comedian outlined how his approach to life has changed since his diagnosis, saying he is ‘definitely more grateful to be alive’.

‘I am definitely more grateful, grateful to be alive. I am very fortunate and hopefully I can do a bit of good by raising money for research,’ he said.

The Monty Python star had a jolly time on The Masked Singer (Picture: Fox TV/Backgrid)

Speaking about his performance on The Masked Singer US, when her performed Love Me Do by The Beatles, Eric revealed that he reached out to Sir Paul McCartney personally to ask if he could have permission to sing the song.

‘I asked Paul McCartney if I could sing Love Me Do. He said, “Yes of course you can,” then joked, “Do let me know me when it airs so I can be sure to miss it!”’ he recalled.

Earlier this month, Eric told Time magazine how he was ‘incredibly lucky’ to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three years ago.

Eric (second from right) pictured with Monty Python stars Terry Gilliam, Neil Innes, Eric Idle, and Terry Jones. (Picture: Pierre Vauthey/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)

‘Lucky? One of the most lethal forms of cancer, how on earth was that lucky? Well, because it was found incredibly early. No, not before lunchtime, but before it had gone anywhere,’ he said.

He revealed that he asked a friend of his, who’s a doctor, what the ‘quickest way to die’ was while conducting research for a play about a writer who is creating a musical about death, who discovers he is about to die.

Eric recollected how his friend told him: ‘Well, you’re in very good shape. The cancer hasn’t recurred. You should have about 10 years.’

The Graham Norton Show airs tonight at 10.40pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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