Cleese 'prefers lemur over peerage'

8:36pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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Monty Python star John Cleese revealed that he regarded having a species of lemur named after him as a greater honour than a knighthood or a peerage.

The comic actor returned to Bristol Zoo Gardens to discuss conservation, his childhood in the West Country and three fund-raising performances to be held within the grounds of the zoo.

Cleese, who went to school at Clifton College, near Bristol Zoo Gardens, visited the zoo as a boy and fell in love with lemurs at an early age.

The 68-year-old, well known for his role as Basil Fawlty in BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers, came face to face with one of his favourite creatures at the zoo - Colin the red ruffed lemur.

Cleese has been back to visit the zoo on several occasions and has championed lemur conservation for many years.

As a result of his campaigning work, a new species of woolly lemur was named after him - Avahi cleesei.

The animal was discovered in Madagascar by Urs Thalmann of Zurich University.

Speaking at the zoo, Cleese - who declined a CBE in 1996 - said having the species named after him was a higher honour than a knighthood.

He said: "Well, I've had a species named after me. A Swiss guy discovered it. He called and asked if I will give him permission to name it after me.

"I would rather have that than a knighthood or peerage."

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