MONTY Python returned on stage in July after years of anticipation and the first show sold out in just 43 seconds.

But the fun is not over for fans of the surreal comedy with show girls, cows, killer rabbits and French people all coming to the Manchester Opera House stage for Spamalot.

Witch burnings, however, have been cancelled due to health and safety regulations.

The musical Spamalot has been 'lovingly ripped off' from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Eric Idle and it will galloping into Manchester between January 15 and 24.

Starring Joe Pasquale and Todd Carty, Spamalot tells an alternative tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

So expect all the favourite ditties like He Is Not Dead Yet, Knights of the Round Table, Find Your Grail and, of course, Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

The latest tour, directed by Christopher Luscombe, follows the 10-date Monty Python Reunion at The O2 and Eric Idle’s performance of ‘Always Look On The Bright Side of Life’ at the 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony.

Joe, who reprises his role as King Arthur after his West End run, originally won the part after an unusual casting process.

Bonnie Langford and Joe had both appeared together in Dancing on Ice and Pirates of Penzance, so she contacted him when she was playing The Lady of The Lake.

She invited him to see her in the show and suggested to the producers that he’d be a great King Arthur – and she was proved right.

Joe said: "I am very excited to have been asked to return for the new UK tour.

"I will be joining a fantastic Spamalot cast and can’t wait to get back on my invisible horse as we search the land for The Holy Grail."

Todd, who has starred as Patsy since the start of the production, added: ‘I’m dusting down my coconuts as we speak, so that Patsy can go on a new adventure with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table."

- Spamalot will be at Manchester Opera House from January 15 to 24. Tickets are from £13.40. Visit atgtickets.com/spamalot