Eric Idle has insisted Not The Messiah (He's A Very Naughty Boy) won't be deemed blasphemous.

The filmed stage performance, which will be shown in cinemas on March 25, is a comedic oratorio of Monty Python's The Life Of Brian, which sparked protests from religious groups when it was first released.

But Eric said: "There is no controversy ... it's only people stupid enough to realise Christ is in the movie twice, and Christ isn't Christ, so there's no real controversy... It's very simple - you either get it or you don't."

He added: "It's the visual thing that gets people. The crosses in particular drive them crazy, the beards and running around, the blasphemy, you don't get any of that. We have soloists wearing full evening dress and BBC choirs, at no moment can people take offense. It's still slightly subversive but that's our right."

Not The Messiah (He's A Very Naughty Boy) stars Eric and features guest appearances from fellow Monty Pythoners Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Carol Cleveland and Neil Innes.

:: Not The Messiah (He's A Very Naughty Boy) will be shown at cinemas nationwide for one night only on March 25.