Exclusive

Michael Palin 'given up' on trying to hold Monty Python cast together

3 October 2024, 20:14

Palin was part of the extremely popular British comedy group Monty Python
Palin was part of the extremely popular British comedy group Monty Python. Picture: Alamy

By Will Conroy

Comedy legend and travel presenter Michael Palin has said he has “given up” on trying to hold the Monty Python family together.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Palin was part of the extremely popular British comedy group that aired the sketch series ‘Monty Python's Flying Circus’ in the early 1970s.

The 81-year-old went on to front a number of hugely successful overseas travel documentaries since 1980 including Around The World In 80 Days.

While discussing his new ‘There and Back: Diaries’ book with Andrew Marr on LBC, Palin described the process of the comedy group going their separate ways.

He said: “Well I’ve given up trying to hold together that original family.

“The thing was, the Pythons worked well when we were writing comedy. That was an amazing two or three years where we wrote together, everybody was contributing, we made each other laugh a lot. It felt an extremely, wonderfully happy ship to be on.

“John (Cleese) left in 1972, as soon as you realised that this wasn't going to go on forever, one had to accept that people wanted to do other things and we all did go on.”

Sir Michael Palin explains how the Monty Python cast has 'grown apart' to Andrew Marr

The presenter all but ruled out a reunion of the comedy group despite there continuing to be the demand for it.

He said: “I think the idea of bringing it all back was always around. I thought we've done, we've finished, we've done the best we can.”

Discussing the relationship and dynamic of the group now, Palin said: “I like their approval. I would like to continue to be on friendly terms with them all, I don't think I’m not but we see each other less.

“Some of us are far more defensive about what we're doing. We're all in different places now.”

Read more: Oasis warn fans after thousands of fake tickets advertised for North America shows

Read more: Phillip Schofield recounts moment he was 'let go' from This Morning

During the latest 'There and Back' anecdotes, Palin takes fans on a journey through "the most productive decade" of his life from 1999 to 2009.

At the start of that period, he fronted The Hemingway Adventure, in which he retraced the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway through the United States, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean.

Documentaries that followed included his visits to the Sahara desert, the Himalaya region and Europe.

Talking to Andrew, Palin expressed gratitude to his family for their support
Talking to Andrew, Palin expressed gratitude to his family for their support. Picture: Alamy

Talking to Andrew, Palin expressed gratitude to his family for their support and understanding during his various travels but says he feels a degree of guilt over missing parts of his children’s adolescence.

When asked how important is family compared to career achievements, Palin responded: “Hugely important. Absolutely at the basis of everything

“The very fact that Helen (Palin’s wife) was not a traveller herself, so didn't feel like she had missed out.

“She was very happy to be at home. She ran the home extremely well, that was a hugely important thing for me to be able to go away.”

He later joked: “She knew that If I didn't go I would probably be kicking chairs over in the kitchen or something like that.”

Palin added: “The children were hugely important. At the time I probably felt a little guilty I wasn't spending more time with them in the 90s, as they were just getting to the end of their education.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Jackie Scully will trek 100km across the Sahara desert to mark 10 years since she was given the all-clear

Breast cancer survivor to trek 100km across Sahara desert to mark 10 years since getting all-clear

Flooding And Heavy Rain In Valencia Region Of Spain

What we have seen in Spain these last days is a preview of the future if we do not take action on climate change

Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new Conservative Party leader

New Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says 'huge job' ahead involves 'the people we want to bring back to the Conservative Party'

Janey Godley has died at the age of 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley died in hospital 'surrounded by her loved ones' aged 63 following battle with cancer

Exclusive
Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci says 'garbage' comments made at Trump rally have 'lit up' Puerto Ricans - and could swing election

billy nighy

Billy Nighy 'stole complete works of Shakespeare from library' to prepare for drama school audition

v

Winner in Conservative leadership contest to be announced this morning

Palma is on lockdown amid warnings of heavy rain

Majorca on lockdown as tourist hotspot faces flooding horror after storm kills more than 200

UK GP visiting senior woman at home

Care homes and GPs could face closure under Labour tax plans, health leaders warn

Rebekah Vardy 'threatens to reignite war with Coleen Rooney'

Rebekah Vardy launches appeal against Wagatha Christie £1.8m costs ruling

Alexandra Palace Hosts Its Annual Fireworks Display Ahead Of Bonfire Night

Bonfire night 2024 forecast: What will the weather be like for fireworks night?

Darrian Williams

Two teen boys found guilty after 16-year-old stabbed to death by masked attackers in Bristol park

Westminster Protest

'Betrayed' farmers to protest over Labour's inheritance tax raid - as Chancellor insists changes are 'fair'

The teen was left to die by the side of road.

Six teenagers arrested after 13-year-old girl left with life-threatening injuries in East Yorkshire stabbing

Israel claims to have killed a high-ranking member of Hamas

Israel 'eliminates' one of Hamas' last high-ranking officials

Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee

King Charles 'finally cuts Prince Andrew off' as he 'axes Duke's annual £1m allowance'