Sir Michael Palin, 83, has said he may never travel again, as the physical demands of long journeys have become increasingly difficult. The former Monty Python star, now a documentary presenter, is promoting his latest book, The Philippines, and admitted that his days of world travel could be over.
Physical strain of travel
Speaking to Mishal Husain on her Bloomberg talk show, Sir Michael said: 'I'm at the stage of not knowing whether I'm ever going to travel again. The journey is becoming increasingly difficult and I found, especially after the Philippines, that I was very, very exhausted.'
He clarified that it was not the destinations or experiences that troubled him, but the act of travelling itself. 'Just the physical effort of being 83 years old and having to wait for four hours because the plane's been delayed, and then your seat's been changed and all that,' he said. 'I mustn't grumble because I am very, very lucky. When I'm in the place I'm in, I'm absolutely happy. I've never been somewhere and felt, "why am I doing this?"'
Injury after interview
Sir Michael said he may still travel within the UK for work, but was less certain about international trips. Shortly after the interview, he fell in his bathroom, sustaining three fractured ribs and a minor pelvic fracture.
In an Instagram post, he wrote: 'My accident was quite unsensational, a slip in the family bathroom where I've walked for 58 years. I fell heavily on my left side resulting in three fractured ribs and a minor pelvic fracture. The recovery of bone fractures takes a long time, especially when you're 83.'
Referencing his comedy work, he added: 'It was a comedy fall with no audience there to see it. I shall stick to fish slapping dances from now on.' He apologised to those who had contributed to his tour and thanked the NHS for their 'incredible care.'
Bloomberg host's response
Mishal Husain wished Sir Michael 'the speediest of recoveries after his fall. And while he can't go on his 'In the Philippines' book tour – we can bring his travels there to you in this episode.'
Sir Michael had previously hinted at quitting travel after a trip to Iraq in 2022, telling The Mirror: 'I don't know where I want to go now. People say where are you going to now? I say the chemist. I feel enormously privileged and grateful that I've done as much travelling as I have in the last 35 years. There have been good times, interesting times, exciting times, and adventure. But at a certain point you do have to be careful about what you do next.'
He also spoke about the death of his wife Helen, whom he married in 1966, saying on Lorraine in 2023: 'I hear her voice all the time saying, "get on with it and don't mope about or look gloomy". Of course, life will never be the same without her, but I will remember her and she will be by my side the rest of my life, but she would be saying to "get on with it". The real problem is, the great thing about knowing someone for six decades is that it is not what you talk about all the time, it's what you don't need to talk about – the little things like a glance, which I can't share with anybody else.'
