One would imagine that Eric Idle, one-sixth of beloved comedy troupe Monty Python, and John Major, Prime Minister of the UK from 1990 to 1996, have nothing in common – but you would be wrong, for both Idle and Major were born on the same day: March 29th, 1943. In 1993, as their 50th birthdays approached, Eric Idle took the opportunity to send the Prime Minister a brief letter.
(This letter, and many other fascinating pieces of correspondence, can be found in the bestselling book, More Letters of Note. For more info, visit Books of Note.)
The Rt.Hon. John Major M.P.
10 Downing Street
London SW1A.1AA12th January 1993
Dear John Major,
On the 29th March you and I will both be fifty.
Has it ever occurred to you that, but for a twist of fate, I should be Prime Minister and you could have been the Man in the Nudge Nudge sketch from Monty Python?
I hope you don’t feel too disappointed,
Happy birthday anyway,Eric Idle