Seriously Silly: The Life of Terry Jones

by Robert Ross

Python, actor, director, popular historian, national treasure, purveyor of sincere silliness - this is the story of the one and only Terry Jones.

In an intimate portrait penned by the close friend Terry chose to write his memoir, Seriously Silly is the story of one our greatest comedy legends. Taking in his major successes as well as his personal battles, it is the whole story, from his start as a war baby in the picturesque coastal town of Colwyn Bay, to meeting his lifelong friend Michael Palin at Oxford and the journey that took him on a convoluted pathway through revue sketches, anarchic children's shows, Monty Python, TV presenting and beyond. It reveals the fiery debates and creative genius of the pythons, as well as Terry's extraordinary determination and resilience - even in his final years as he battled with the dementia.

Written by his close friend and with the blessing and cooperation of his family and the peers who knew him best, Seriously Silly is the definitive celebration of a true pioneer of comedy, as well a personal and loving portrait of the man behind the laughter.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Audiobook

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 24, 2026

About the author

Robert Ross is the leading authority on British Comedy. Beginning with The Carry On Companion, in 1996, he has written a library of books including in depth celebrations; The Monty Python Encyclopedia, The Goodies Rule OK, Forgotten Heroes of Comedy, Official BBC tributes to Fawlty Towers, Last of the Summer Wine and Steptoe & Son, and acclaimed biographies dedicated to Marty Feldman and Sid James. Most recently, Robert was the co-author of The Carry On Girls which was named as Book of the Week in the Daily Mail in January 2024. He is a frequent face on television, appearing on such diverse programmes as the BBC News, Blue Peter, Ronnie Corbett: His 30 Funniest Moments, Sir Bruce Forsyth: Mr. Entertainment, Richard & Judy, When Classic Comedy Goes Horribly Wrong, The Barbara Windsor Story, and Norman Wisdom: His Story. Robert is the founder and chair of Write On Comedy.

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an biography of Terry Jones written by a friend. It is not - quite - warts and all but as I was reading it I realised that I didn't want that. The world is too full of disillusionment to need a biography that would tell me that Terry Jones was a terrible arsehole. That seems not to have been true anyway, but it is nice not to read a hatchet job.

Having said that I'm never sure if biographies should be in the hands of friends. I thought about this when I finished the biography of Anthony Powell written by Hilary Spurling. But I'm not going to hold that against Robert Ross.

This does an excellent job of taking you through Terry Jones's career and life. He seems to have loved his working life even if he could be uncompromising about it in a way that other people might have found irritating. I'm not sure Ross's version of the Python years would stand up to in-depth scrutiny and John Cleese is notable by his absence. Mostly.

However I think Ross does a fine job of writing about a friend and giving you a good idea of what he was like (with hints at his more difficult qualities without digging too deeply into them.) The final chapters as dementia takes its toll on him is heart breaking. It seems a particularly sick joke to make a man who loved words - spoken or written - and remove his capacity for them. It seems cruel.

The other thing this book has made me want to do is re-visit Monty Python. It's been a while since I re-watched the whole thing (and the films.) December 2025 might be a good time to do it.

[Ward Lehmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish he’d interviewed Cleese, who has said many times how he hated being stuck in armor for hours while the Terry’s arranged the perfect shot for Holy Grail. Would have liked to hear what else he thought. Nevertheless, a splendid book, if a little too much of the kid glove.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously Brilliant

This is not a seriously silly book, it is a naughty masterpiece. Now go away I didn't vote for you!