Monty Python superfan proposes to girlfriend in FRONT of Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam
John Wood finally found love with fellow fanatic Gemma Harris and popped the question in front of Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam. Mr Wood had been single for five years before his wife-to-be’s uncle spotted an article about the Python dating Facebook group in a national paper by chance and showed it to her. Miss Harris, 33, then joined and the pair started their new romance just two-and-a-half years ago. Mr Wood, 57, has now decided it is time to make Miss Harris his 'wife of Brian' and popped the question the best way he could.
GETTY A Monty Python superdan proposes to his girlfriend in front of Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam
SWNS The two found love through his Python-fan dating site
It's very rare I meet anyone as into it as I am. If you love something it makes you more compatible John Wood
He said: "We both went to this show where we were going to be in the presence of Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin. "I've met them many times before but I just thought this would be perfect." The pair are the first to get engaged among the group, which has more than 140 members and aims to help fans "find each other, and so find love, intellectual fulfilment and everlasting happiness". Mr Wood decided to pop the question at a show featuring the Pythons, hosted by Sanjeev Bhaskar, called 'An Englishman and Indian and an American Walk into a Bar at the Roundhouse' in Camden, north London, on February 3.
SWNS Mr Wood has now decided it is time to make Miss Harris his 'wife of Brian'
SWNS John Wood meeting Michael Palin in 1990
The social media manager, who has thousands of pounds worth of memorabilia, has seen Python musical Spamalot 13 times and has met most of the cast members on numerous occasions, managed to get the cast gathered around as he got down on one knee. The Python addict added: "It was very tricky, I was so nervous I had no idea if everything was going to come together, I was on my own Gemma's had no idea where I was, finally the moment arrived and I did it in the VIP after party. "I got two strangers to film and take still pictures and they got a really good shot where you can see the ring, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam are behind and Gemma is just so excited - it just looks so magical. "Michael Palin even says 'will you marry me?' and then he said 'I wish you a long and happy life together', which was very nice.
SWNS John Wood meeting Terry Gilliam in 1991
"Apparently we were the first proposal at the Roundhouse and we are the first Python wedding from the Facebook group." The pair, who now live in East Grinstead, West Sussex, have previously been on a romantic trip to Paris to visit the locations where scenes from their favourite film Brazil, directed by Python animator Terry Gillian, were shot. Mr Wood decided to search for a partner who shared his passion for the comedy, which started in 1969, famous for the Dead Parrot sketch, Ministry of Silly Walks and the Lumberjack song, after his first wife disliked the series. He said: "When I was married the first time for 15 years my ex-wife didn't like Python. "Since it's been a major part of my life since I was 13, I thought my next girlfriend should be a Python fan.
SWNS John Wood meeting Eric Idle
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