Terry Gilliam's BAFTA honour

9 months ago 04th Feb 13:30

Terry Gilliam is to be awarded the BAFTA Fellowship award.

The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) will present the veteran director with the prize - its highest accolade - on Sunday (08.02.09).

Awards and honours I've kind of shied away from, but this one I'm happy to take

The Former 'Monty Python' star said the award comes as a welcome surprise.

Terry said: "This is Quite a surprise. Awards and honours I've kind of shied away from, but this one I'm happy to take."

US born Terry has made films including 'Twelve Monkeys', 'Time Bandits', 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' and 'The Fisher King', as well as having created a very distinct style of direction and animation while a member of the 'Monty Python' comedy team.

Terry also joked he was receiving the fellowship award out of "sympathy" after his latest project 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' was hit by a series of tragedies.

The film suffered setbacks after its producer, Bill Vince, died suddenly, and Terry himself was hit by a reversing car in London last year.