The veteran presenter shares his frustrations with the BBC’s changing approach to his travel documentaries.

Sir Michael Palin has discussed his decision to leave the BBC after decades of producing successful travel documentaries. The 81-year-old, famed for his series such as Around the World in 80 Days and Brazil With Michael Palin, explained that a growing desire from the BBC to “control” the content led him to move to Channel 5 in 2012.

Palin, who has worked on some of the most iconic documentaries of the past few decades, revealed that the BBC’s shift in presentation style frustrated him. He felt that the broadcaster’s new approach, which often involved revealing key moments at the start of episodes to hook viewers, didn’t align with his vision for the shows. “The BBC wanted to control it a little more,” he explained. “I would have been desperately frustrated with their new direction.”

This wasn’t the first time Palin expressed dissatisfaction with the BBC. In 2009, he criticised the network’s handling of his New Europe documentary, which was censored by the BBC Trust for oversimplifying the complex history of the Balkan wars.

Since leaving the BBC, Palin has found greater creative freedom at Channel 5, where his recent documentaries focusing on countries such as North Korea and Iraq have garnered praise. He added that he would have found it “desperately frustrating” had he remained at the BBC under its new management approach.

Aside from his television career, Sir Michael confirmed that he is already planning a new travel series. He also shared that he was asked to join Strictly Come Dancing but turned down the opportunity, stating that being a celebrity for the sake of it has never been his ambition. “I’m a bit of a loner,” he said, explaining his discomfort with celebrity culture.

He also opened up about his personal life, revealing that while he doesn’t have regrets, he wishes he had spent more time with his wife, Helen, who passed away last year after a long illness. Palin noted that the last years of his career, particularly the travels to places like North Korea, were challenging, as his wife’s health had deteriorated.

Palin is also committed to honouring his late Monty Python colleague Terry Jones, who died in 2020. Earlier this year, Palin helped launch a fundraising campaign to build a statue of Jones, celebrating his contribution to comedy.

For more on Michael Palin’s reflections on his career and personal life, check out the full interview in Radio Times.