Michael Palin to Get BAFTA Fellowship

LONDON – The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is to present British comedian, actor, writer and presenter Michael Palin with the Academy Fellowship at the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards on May 12.

Palin’s more than 40-year career on television and movies includes being a founding member of comedy collective Monty Python, featuring in such classics as Monty Python’s Flying Circus, The Holy Grail and Life of Brian.

Starting out in TV as a writer for series such as The Frost Report, Palin has appeared in front of camera for a myriad travel shows on the BBC including Around the World in 80 Days, Pole to Pole, Full Circle, Sahara, Himalaya, New Europe, Around the World in 20 Years and more recently Brazil with Michael Palin.

Palin will be presented with the British Academy’s highest accolade at a presentation during this TV awards show at the Royal Festival Hall in the British capital.

BAFTA chairman John Willis said: “Michael Palin, ex-Python, writer, presenter and BAFTA-winning actor whose amiable onscreen manner belies the seriousness of his craft, has made an incredible contribution to the medium over five decades. There are few individuals more worthy than Michael of the Fellowship, the highest honour the Academy can bestow.”

Ahead of the nod, Palin said his fellowship was down to teamwork and that it was for all the people he has worked with over the years.

The Arqiva British Academy Television Awards will be hosted by Graham Norton and broadcast on BBC One on May 12.

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