Monty Python veteran Terry Jones has been diagnosed with dementia.

The 74-year-old Welshman is due to receive a special BAFTA Cymru award for his outstanding contribution to Film and Television and a spokesperson for him has issued the folliwing statement: “Terry has been diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia, a variant of Frontotemporal Dementia. This illness affects his ability to communicate and he is no longer able to give interviews. Terry is proud and honoured to be recognised in this way and is looking forward to the celebrations.”

Jones co-wrote and performed in all 45 episodes of Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969-1974). He directed the films ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ (With Terry Gilliam, 1975), ‘Monty Python’s Life Of Brian’ (1979), ‘Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life’ (1983), ‘Personal Services’ (1987), ‘Erik The Viking’ (1989), ‘Wind In The Willows’ (1996) and ‘Absolutely Anything’ (2015). Jones also co-created Ripping Yarns’ (1976-1979) with Michael Palin.

He has also written two books about Geoffrey Chaucer, and written and presented a number of historical documentaries.