Monty Python members 'paid £2,000 per series' by BBC, according to Eric Idle

'We made more money outside – making films, books and records'

Rarely reshown: 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' (PA)

Monty Python was, at some stage, one of Britain’s most valuable comedy exports, with their films, TV shows and stage productions being seen all over the world.

It all took off when their debut TV show, Monty Python's Flying Circus, was picked up by the BBC in 1969, their surrealist comedy winning many fans in Britain.

However, it turns out the six members really weren’t paid a lot to write and perform the sketch show, with Eric Idle recently revealing they made just £2,000 each per series.

Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: “The BBC paid each of us £2,000 per series for writing and performing. We made more money outside – making films, books and records.

“Monty Python only became valuable when it was sold to Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in America. They didn’t pay much either, but the series has been shown repeatedly, which led to lucrative tapes, CDs and DVDs.”

Idle went on to elaborate how the group came to own all their won material: “In 1975, ABC broadcast two 90-minute Monty Python specials, each featuring three shows, but cut it to bits. We sued to try to prevent the company doing it.

“We didn’t get an injunction, but continued the lawsuit and ABC was found in breach of contract. Instead of accepting damages, we took the masters of our original Flying Circus, and that was the basis of us earning sensible money. Now, we own the copyright on almost everything we ever made.”

The Pythons last performed together in July 2014, their shows selling out in a matter of seconds. The year after, they celebrated the 40th anniversary of The Holy Grail by releasing never-before-seen footage from the film.