April 25, 2026 - 882 views
A statue celebrating one of Colwyn Bay’s most famous sons has been unveiled in front of thousands of people in a landmark moment for the town’s cultural history.
Actor, writer and Monty Python legend Terry Jones has been immortalised in bronze in his birthplace, with the striking sculpture overlooking Colwyn Bay beach. The life-sized piece depicts Jones as the “nude organist” – one of his most memorable and surreal characters from Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
The unveiling, held on this sunny Saturday afternoon, drew a huge crowd of locals alongside visitors who had travelled from across the UK and beyond to witness the tribute.
Jones, who died in 2020 aged 77 after living with a rare form of dementia, left a lasting connection to the area despite moving away as a child. He remained closely linked to the town, serving as a patron and former trustee of Theatr Colwyn, and was a strong supporter of its major renovation project in 2011. The statue project itself also links closely with the Conwy Arts Trust, highlighting the area’s continued investment in arts and culture.
The idea for the statue grew from a global fundraising appeal backed by Jones’ family and a host of high-profile names including Emma Thompson, Steve Coogan and Suzy Eddie Izzard. The campaign quickly captured imaginations, reaching its £120,000 target within just six months.
Bayside Radio and TV presenter Craig Hughes reflected on the journey behind the project, describing it as “a real community effort with global backing – something Terry himself would have absolutely loved.”
The sculpture was created by Llandudno artist Nick Elphick, whose design brought Jones’ larger-than-life personality to life in a bold and unconventional way.
Talking to Craig at the unveiling, Elphick admitted the moment had been overwhelming. He said: “I’m a little in shock as I didn’t think I’d be here today. I’ve had so many people coming up thanking me. I’ve been so nervous. Sally Jones, Terry's daughter has worked really closely with me to help me understand who he was – as a person, a father, and in character. I even ended up sleeping in his office going through his archives. I’m just honoured.”
The event was attended by fellow Monty Python stars Sir Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam, as well as Suzy Eddie Izzard, with other celebrity supporters having helped drive the campaign from afar.
Sir Michael Palin said Jones would have found the statue “very funny indeed”, adding he was “a brilliant man in so many ways”.
A particularly moving moment came when Sally Jones addressed the crowd. She said: “What we want the statue to be is a celebration of creativity – a celebration of a creative life, a life spent as a storyteller.”
For many in attendance, the unveiling was more than just a tribute – it was a celebration of Colwyn Bay’s cultural identity, its creative community, and the lasting legacy of a man whose work continues to make the world laugh.
