Neil Innes (9 December 1944 – 29 December 2019) was a British born singer-songwriter. He wrote many of the songs used by Monty Python, including all of the songs for Monty Python and the Holy Grail and most of the songs in the final series of the television program. However, he only appears in the television series on one occasion - in the very last sketch of the last show of the last series, dressed as a serviceman singing to a disinterested young woman. However, he appears as Sir Robin's minstrel in "Holy Grail" and performs two musical interludes in Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl. Because of his long standing involvement with the group, he is often referred to as the "Seventh Python".
Along with Douglas Adams, he is one of only two people other than the original Pythons to have a writing credit in the original television series, taking over some writing duties after John Cleese left. He is credited with writing The Most Awful Family in Britain sketch.
His involvement with Eric Idle dated back before the series, where he appeared on Do Not Adjust Your Set with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. He also worked with Idle on Rutland Weekend Television. Later, he collaborated with Idle on The Rutles, composing and performing most of the music as well as appearing as the John Lennon spoof Ron Nasty.