Terry Gilliam - Gilliam Laughs Off Palin Death Report

Moviemaker TERRY GILLIAM has laughed off reports his former MONTY PYTHON pal MICHAEL PALIN has died, suggesting the news was a shock to the comedian/adventurer himself.

The director blames idle Internet users for the "gossip-mongering nightmare", revealing news about the tragedy spread rapidly last week (ends30Oct09) - as Palin and the Pythons were celebrating their 40th anniversary.

Gilliam is trying to make light of the saga, telling WENN, "It's true, his pet alligator just ate him; it was horrible!

"They're all dead; all the Pythons died horribly except me.

"I don't know where that rumour came from that Mike died. The web is such a gossip mongering nightmare. It was actually a very embarrassing moment because Mike thought it was real."