Meet the Isle of Wight's Julian Doyle - the man with a career that has crossed paths with entertainment icons including Kate Bush, Iron Maiden, Donald Sutherland, Simon Callow and Monty Python. 

Speaking to the Isle of Wight County Press, the Island resident has just published a new book.

Inspired by information uncovered while he was the editor on Python's Life of Brian, as well as a fascination with the pyramids and ancient Egypt, The Jericho Manuscript features Sherlock Holmes and 'removes the impossible' from the story of Jesus. 

He said: "I made certain discoveries about the early life of Jesus and when you eliminate certain things, you come to other conclusions and truths."

Isle of Wight County Press: Julian Doyle and his new book, The Jericho Manuscript.Julian Doyle and his new book, The Jericho Manuscript. (Image: Julian Doyle.)

He said: "It became a natural thing for me to do a Sherlock Holmes story that goes into the story of Jesus, but removes the impossible and tries to analyse events."

Whilst his links to the Island go back to being a teenager, Julian moved here permanently more recently, to be with his family.

The only things he misses about London, where he used to be based, are playing football with the likes of comedian Alan Davies and actor Mark Strong.

Before his career in film, this successful director, editor and writer joined a team working with 'the father of transplantation,' Nobel Prize winner Peter Medawar.

Isle of Wight County Press: Julian Doyle and crew on the set of Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits.Julian Doyle and crew on the set of Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits. (Image: Julian Doyle.)

Then, Julian was just 17-years-old. 

He said: "I didn’t really know how important it all was but I do remember going to out for an Indian meal with a Nobel Prize winner.

"He was a gem of a guy. You were treated as an equal, even if you were just a junior technician."

When a short-lived attempt to be a teacher ended, Julian applied to the London Film School and won a grant to create educational films. 

"I was slowly moving into making commercials and then I got caught up with The Pythons, who had left the BBC and wanted to direct themselves," he recalled.

Isle of Wight County Press: Julian Doyle, left, on the set of Terry Gilliam's Brazil.Julian Doyle, left, on the set of Terry Gilliam's Brazil. (Image: Julian Doyle.)

Isle of Wight County Press: The cast and crew of Monty Python's Life of Brian with Julian, seated, fourth from left.The cast and crew of Monty Python's Life of Brian with Julian, seated, fourth from left. (Image: Julian Doyle.)

Julian got on well with six-piece Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman and John Cleese, and they asked him to help with the iconic and irreverant Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

As well as a major role behind the scenes, Julian was a cast member too.

"We didn’t have much money, so the whole crew dressed up as extras.

"My car looked like a police car, so we stuck a light on it and I dressed up as a police officer, bringing the film to an end by putting my hands over the camera lens."

It was never supposed to have been the conclusion. There wasn't enough money for a battle in which 'almost everyone was killed.'

Julian also revealed the iconic Black Knight scene was almost cut, and was shot last minute in Epping Forest.

Isle of Wight County Press: The famous Black Knight, on the film set of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.The famous Black Knight, on the film set of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. (Image: Julian Doyle.)

He says the rabbit fight close-ups were puppets and there wasn't enough money for real horses - hence the coconuts.

After Python, he directed Kate Bush's iconic Cloudbusting video.

"I’d finished working on Brazil and was at Abbey Road, where I met Kate. Terry [Gilliam] suggested I could be her director.

"Kate managed to get Donald Sutherland involved as we knew his hairdresser, somehow."

The last time Julian saw Kate, he was singing Happy Birthday to Terry Gilliam at a party.

George Harrison was playing George Formby’s ukulele, at the time.

Isle of Wight County Press: Julian Doyle.Julian Doyle. (Image: Julian Doyle.)

  • The Jericho Manuscript is available from Amazon and Waterstones or CLICK HERE to buy direct from Julian Doyle's website.

Julian also recalls working with metal band Iron Maiden and, in 2008 he wrote Chemical Wedding with Bruce Dickinson - a horror film that premiered at Cannes Film Festival and involved theatre-great Simon Callow. 

Comparing today's film industry with those days, Julian said: "I’m amazed by what they can do now with computers - things that I would have given my eye teeth to get on film. 

"If you imagine it, you can do it!"

Of his book, Julian Doyle teased: "Holmes possibly unravels the Jesus story for us, but you'll have to read the book to see if he manages."