The bright side of university honour

COMEDIAN, broadcaster and writer Michael Palin has declared he feels “very proud” to be awarded an honorary degree by one of the UK’s oldest universities.

The Monty Python star, who has also presented a series of ambitious TV travel documentaries, has been made a doctor of science by St Andrews in recognition of his contribution to the subject of geography.

The 74-year-old joked the honour – the third to be given to a Python by the university – shows the ancient institution is not “stuffy”.

He said: “It feels great, I feel very proud indeed to be honoured. I’ve just had a rather nice life travelling around the world and doing comedy and there are other people being honoured for splitting the atom, or whatever.”

The globe-trotting TV star, who made Around The World in 80 Days and is a former president of the Royal Geographical Society, said he was “particularly pleased” that the honour was recognising geography.