Cult comedy troupe Monty Python are heading back to cinemas after striking a deal to show their final ever gig on the big screen.

The July 20 show at London's O2 will be broadcast live in thousands of cinemas around the world.

The Pythons, who made a string of hit films including Life of Brian, said: " Thanks to the wonderful invention of moving pictures, The Last Night of Monty Python is coming to a cinema near you. Get your knotted handkerchiefs out and warm your brains one last time at any one of 450 cinemas across the UK, and 1500 across the world.

"Join the crowd live from London's O2 in a final weepy, hilarious, uproarious, outrageous, farewell to the five remaining Pythons as they head for The Old Jokes Home...on the big screen, in HD."

Earlier this month, the remaining members of the group announced that the July 20 gig, the last of a string of comeback performances at the venue, would "probably be their last live performance together".

The Pythons - John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones - announced their comeback in November and promised the return of some of their most famous routines, including a likely performance of the dead parrot sketch.

However, Cleese ruled out a re-run of one of his best loved moments, the Ministry of Silly Walks.

"I have an artificial knee and an artificial hip so there's no chance of that," he said.

Idle said: "I think you can expect a little comedy, a lot of pathos, some music and a tiny bit of ancient sex."

Monty Python's Flying Circus was made for TV between 1969 and 1974 and generations of fans can recite lines and whole sketches.

Sixth Python Graham Chapman died of cancer in 1989 aged just 48, and nine years later the five remaining members shared a stage at the Aspen Comedy Festival in the US.