Nude organist tribute to be unveiled in Colwyn Bay in April

The statue of Terry Jones  as the nude organist from Monty Python’s Flying Circus is to be unveiled on April 25, it has been announced.

It comes after comedy fans from around the world donated £120,000  to the campaign, to raise a statue of the comedian in his hometown of Colwyn Bay, North Wales.

Michael Palin  said: ‘Terry always insisted on doing his own stunts, and I think that sitting stark naked (apart from a tie) on Colwyn Bay promenade, in all weathers, is the ultimate tribute to the lengths he was always prepared to go to for comedy. I hope his wonderfully generous bottom will become an emblem of the town he loved so much.’

© Bill & Ben Productions 

He and fellow Python Terry Gilliam – who led the way in the fundraising campaign – recently visited sculptor Nick Elphick as he unveiled the finished design.

Elphick said : ‘Working with his family, they were saying he didn’t have that sort of ego where he’d want a statue of him being done.

‘But actually a statue of one of his characters and him bringing his humour back, his art back, that’s what’s going to honour him.The fact that he’s going to bring joy forever. It’s just such an honour for me to be able to do.’

He revealed that he made seven heads and destroyed them all before finding one he was happy with.

Terry’s daughter, Sally, added: ‘Once we decided the best way to remember him was in character, it was so obvious that it had to be the nude organist. Dad’s approach to comedy and life in general was non-conformist and convention defying; and the nude organist is perfect, as it was such a shock in those early days of television. 

‘When Python burst on the scene, in the late 1960’s, they played with the structure of comedy, defying the convention of gag and punchline, with Graham Chapman dressed as a Field Marshall declaring sketches "too silly" to continue or with a naked Terry blowing up a Hammond organ in some remote field.

‘The nude organist symbolises what made Python so special, captivating and new.’ 

© Nick Elphick

In the final design, Elphick morphs the instrument into Terry’s writing desk, to reflect other aspects of his multi-faceted career

Also included are elements of his popular children’s stories, Erik the Viking and Nicobobinus, frolicking across the bronze surface; while even the organ itself has sprouted suitably Pythonesque legs.

Elphick added: ‘I have put my heart and soul into this, every waking minute. 

‘I feel all of the different elements in this statue will explain and express everything about Terry, in so many different ways. I have been given so much creative stimuli and inspiration, giving me complete free rein, artistically speaking.’

Throughout the next few months he will oversee the casting process to fully immortalize him in bronze.

Steve Coogan, who worked with Terry on his film version of Wind in the Willows, has said the naked organist ‘is both cheeky and a strangely profound expression of Terry’s life affirming anti-establishment anarchy!’

And Sanjeev Bhaskar, who worked with Terry on his final film Absolutely Anything, has said: ‘Since Terry never won Rear Of The Year, I think his posterior preserved for posterity in Colwyn Bay seems right. I’m absolutely behind it.’

Dilwyn Price, chair of Conwy Arts Trust, said: ‘It has been a real privilege to be involved in such an exciting and fulfilling arts project – one that will be a lasting testament to celebrate the huge impact of a proud Welsh actor, comedian, entertainer and educator. Diolch yn fawr iawn!’ [Thank you very much]

Published: 30 Oct 2025