Palin to become third Python honoured by St Andrews University

Palin will join John Cleese and Terry Jones in being awarded degree

Michael Palin is to become the third Monty Python star to be honoured by the St Andrews University.

The comedian, broadcaster and writer will be awarded an honorary degree next month.

Also to be honoured during the summer graduation ceremonies the are former Bishop of Edinburgh the Rt Rev Richard Holloway, broadcaster Donald Macleod, Iranian film director Professor Bahram Beyzaie and Scotland’s former Lord Advocate the Right Honourable Dame Elish Angiolini.

Palin’s co-star John Cleese, a former rector of the university, was given an honorary degree in 1971, while Terry Jones was presented with his in 2013.

He will be among 12 distinguished figures from the worlds of science, literature, religion, film and broadcasting who will be awarded the honours between June 20 and 23 in St Andrews Younger Hall.

Others are novelist, screenwriter, social activist and politician Professor Laura Beatriz, Professor Michael Klein, of Temple University, Philadelphia, Dr John Cameron, representative for Scottish agriculture and railway adviser, Clement Mubanga Chileshe, director of the Olympic Youth Development Center in Zambia, social anthropologist Professor Anthony Paul Cohen, David Nott, the first surgeon to combine laparoscopic and vascular surgery and physicist Professor Malcolm Longair.

Palin, 73, is best known for co-writing and performing in Monty Python’s Flying Circus, which was first screened by the BBC in 1969.

He also won a Bafta for his role in the 1988 film A Fish Called Wanda and has made a number of travel and art and history documentaries, including Michael Palin: Around The World In 80 Days.

Picture: PA. Comedian, travel writer and member of Monty Python, Michael Palin is to receive an honorary degree from St Andrews University next month.

John Cleese, Michael Palin’s fellow Python, received an honorary degree from St Andrews University in 1971.