Michael Palin: Monty Python reunion will clear our debts Michael Palin has revealed that money was a major incentive behind the forthcoming Monty Python reunion at London's O2 next summer. The comedian and broadcaster told The Telegraph that "Python wasn't earning much" and the two sold-out arena shows were inspired by Jim Beach, the manager of Queen, who suggested, "Why don't you do the O2? Might clear your debts in a couple of days. The five surviving Pythons - John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Palin - announced they would be getting back together in November, with tickets for the 10 arena shows next July selling out in minutes, making it the fastest-selling non-musical performance at the O2 ever. Palin explained to The Telegraph that the Pythons incurred $200,000 (£121,381) in damages as well as court fees as a result of a dispute with a producer who claimed to have been cheated of royalty fees for Spamalot, the 2005 musical based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail film. On top of this, the group had personal financial needs: "John, as is much publicised, had alimony to earn and Terry Jones a mortgage to pay off," Palin said. Palin added that the tour was a way of making money out of the comedy brand. The real thing was Python itself wasn't earning much. The cupboard was a bit bare. Although Palin is the first to explicitly state that the tour was partly motivated by financial gain, other Pythons have joked about the need for the reunion's profits. During the press conference, during which the reunion was officially announced, Terry Jones joked that he had a mortgage to pay off and Idle was blunt about "trying to flog" the DVD of the show afterwards. NEWS: Touts making a mint from 'sell-out" Monty Python reunion Gilliam also joked that he would tout tickets for the show at "five or six times the price." If he were to, he would be competing with the touts who started to sell on tickets minutes after they sold out for as much as £1200 each. Palin and Cleese appeared on Radio 4's Today show this morning to discuss the debate a famous interview in which they both defended The Life of Brian against criticism from the Church of England. Read the full interview with Michael Palin here.