Comedian and Monty Python star Eric Idle is set to return to New Zealand shores when he brings his latest stage show to theatres this October.

Idle's Always Look on the Bright Side of Life tour is the latest step in a career spanning over 60 years - and he has no plan to slow down.

He says he'd never set out to have his output stand the test of time, despite his music and comedy still being held in high regard today.

"I think if you can make them laugh and smile and feel a little better at funerals, that's a really nice thing to be able to achieve. 

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