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Monty Python star and The Rutles musician Neil Innes has died at the age of 75.

His agent Nigel Morton confirmed the news, telling Sky News it was unexpected and Innes had not been ill.

In a statement his family said: "It is with deep sorrow and great sadness that we have to announce the death of Neil James Innes on 29th December 2019.

“We have lost a beautiful kind, gentle soul whose music and songs touched the heart of everyone and whose intellect and search for truth inspired us all.

“He died of natural causes quickly without warning and, I think, without pain.

(Image: Getty Images)

(Image: Sygma via Getty Images)

“His wife Yvonne and their three sons Miles, Luke and Barney and three grandchildren Max Issy and Zac give thanks for his life, for his music and for the joy he gave us all."

During his time with comedy collective Monty Python, Innes starred in Life of Brian and The Holy Grail - penning songs for the latter, including Knights of the Round Table and Brave Sir Robin.

He is also said to have provided the famous whistling for Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.

After Python's original TV run ended, Innes joined Eric Idle on the series Rutland Weekend Television - which spawned band The Rutles.

Their songs were accused of parodying The Beatles so heavily that Innes was taken to court by the owners of The Beatles' catalogue.

Innes then had to testify under oath that he hadn't listened to the Fab Four's tunes while writing his own music.

The tables were then turned as Innes sued Oasis for plagirism over their track Whatever, which borrowed a medley from his song How Sweet To Be an Idiot.

Innes now receives royaties and a co-writing credit for the Gallagher brothers hit.

(Image: Michael Ochs Archives)

Innes was also known for starting band the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah band.

Their song, I’m the Urban Spaceman, won Innes an Ivor Novello award in 1969 for Novelty Song of the Year.

After a brief spell in the United states, Innes returned to the UK to make his own BBC series, The Innes Book of Records.

Then in the 1980s, showcased his talents elsewhere by providing voices for the children's cartoon The Raggy Dolls.

(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock) (Image: Redferns)

The show centred on the adventures of a gang of toy factory rejects.

Innes continued to make music and in 2010 formed The Idiot Bastard Band alongisde fellow funnymen Adrian Edmonson, Phil Jupitus, Simon Brint and Rowland Rivron.

Essex born Innes was married to his university sweetheart Yvonne who he met while studying at Goldsmiths College in London in the 1960s. They had three sons together.