The surviving cast of Monty Python are reuniting for a stage show, Terry Jones has confirmed.
Michael Palin, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, and Terry Jones are to reveal details of the reunion at a London press conference on Thursday.
But Jones told the BBC today: "We're getting together and putting on a show - it's real.
"I'm quite excited about it. I hope it makes us a lot of money. I hope to be able to pay off my mortgage!"
The announcement follows months of secret talks.
Idle tweeted today: "Only three days to go till the Python press conference. Make sure Python fans are alerted to the big forthcoming news event.
"Python meeting this morning. Can't wait," he added.
The group are to make the highly anticipated announcement at Embankment's Playhouse Theatre, where Spamalot, the Monty Python musical, is currently running.
Monty Python's Flying Circus, famous for its Dead Parrot sketch and for breaking the rules on traditional sketch writing, was made for TV between 1969 and 1974, drawing a global fan base.
The Pythons then made a series of comedy films including Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975) and Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979), which tells the story of a man who was mistaken for Jesus.
The controversial film was criticised as blasphemous by religious groups - but despite being banned by some councils it was a huge box office success in the US and UK. It went on to be named the "greatest comedy film of all time" by Channel 4 and the Guardian.
Their final film, Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life, released in 1983, was the last time the six Pythons worked together on a full-time project. It was another success with critics, scooping the jury prize at the Cannes film festival.
Sixth Python Graham Chapman died of cancer in 1989 aged just 48.
The five remaining members of the comedy group appeared together in 1998 at the Aspen Comedy Festival in the US.
In 2006, Idle, Gilliam, Jones and Palin attended the London opening of Spamalot - Cleese was filming in Australia - after the show first opened in Broadway.
Following the success of Monty Python, the comedy group have enjoyed success in their own careers.
Cleese showed off his comic talent and co-wrote hit series Fawlty Towers as well as co-writing and starring in A Fish Called Wanda, which also featured Palin.
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US-born Python Gilliam, who also provided the animation for the group's screen hits, directed films including The Brothers Grimm, Twelve Monkeys, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas and Jabberwocky, featuring Palin.
Palin became known for his travel documentary series and Idle penned the Spamalot musical.
Jones directed Idle, Palin and Cleese in a 1996 film adaptation of The Wind In The Willows.
Earlier this year, film producer Mark Forstater, who claimed a share of profits from Spamalot, won a High Court royalty fight with the Monty Python comedy team.
A spokesman for the Pythons remained tight-lipped about the announcement, saying: "A press conference is set for Thursday where the Pythons themselves will be unveiling their plans to work together again."
