Terry Jones, one of the founders of British comedy group Monty Python, has died aged 77, his family said on Wednesday  Jones died on Tuesday following ‘a long, extremely brave, but always good humoured battle with a rare form of dementia, FTD,’ the family said in a statement.

‘Over the past few days his wife, children, extended family and many close friends have been constantly with Terry as he gently slipped away at his home in North London,’ the statement said.

‘We have all lost a kind, funny, warm, creative and truly loving man whose uncompromising individuality, relentless intellect and extraordinary humour has given pleasure to countless millions across six decades.’  Jones produced books, films and television programmes in addition to his work with Monty Python. Like other members of the group, he is best known for films like ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ and ‘Monty Python's Life of Brian,’ both of which he directed.

Fellow Pythons John Cleese and Michael Palin led the tributes to Jones, which poured in from British comedians and actors.

‘It feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm should have faded so gently away,’ Cleese tweeted.

‘Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of 'Life of Brian'. Perfection,’ he wrote.

‘Two down, four to go,’ Cleese joked, referring to the original six Pythons, all of whom became household names in Britain and beyond in the early 1970s. Graham Chapman died in 1989  The other two Pythons are Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam.

They had worked on British radio and TV comedy shows in the 1960s and built a cult following in the 1970s after they came together for their popular television comedy series ‘Monty Python's Flying Circus,’ mixing visual gags and animation with absurd and risque sketches and jokes.

‘Farewell, Terry Jones. The great foot has come down to stamp on you,’ British actor, writer and comedian Stephen Fry tweeted, referring to an animated title sequence from the 1970s shows.

‘My god what pleasure you gave, what untrammelled joy and delight. What a wonderful talent, heart and mind,’ Fry said.