East Grinstead man introduces soul star to Python actress

John Wood, 64, from East Grinstead has been a dedicated Monty Python fan since he was a schoolboy and first met actress Carol Cleveland in 2000 at the stage door of a theatre in Tunbridge Wells where she was performing in a pantomime.

The actress, known as “The Female Python”, appeared in many of the series’ sketches as well as all four films.

Since meeting, John and Carol, who lives in Shoreham, kept in touch and occasionally bumped into each other at various Monty Python events over the years.

Carol even attended John’s Monty Python-themed wedding to his wife Gemma in 2019.

John said: “We married on the 50th anniversary of the first ever TV broadcast of Monty Python. On the morning, I emailed Carol just to let her know about my wedding. She replied, 'why didn't you invite me?'.

“I was shocked because she's a celebrity and I'm not. She said she wasn't able to attend anyway but then, when we all sat down for the wedding meal, there she was tucking into her meal - I was flabbergasted.”

John Wood married his wife Gemma in a Monty Python themed ceremony (Image: Submitted) Now friends, John and Carol went to see American soul singer P P Arnold (Pat) perform at the Ropetackle Centre in Shoreham at the weekend. After the show, John introduced Carol to Pat, also a friend of John’s, and the two “legends” have decided to keep in touch.

Formerly a backing singer for Tina Turner, Pat met John after he interviewed her for a documentary he co-produced on Nicky Hopkins. Hopkins was a studio pianist who performed on recordings for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Cat Stevens. He also played the piano on P P Arnold’s hit The First Cut Is The Deepest.

Since then Pat and John have remained friends too.

The documentary, which won Best Low Budget Feature at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival, features appearances by many artists Hopkins worked with over the years, including Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend, Keith Richards and  Peter Frampton.