Sir Michael Palin: I am worried about the future of the BBC

Sir Michael Palin has confessed he is concerned for the future of the BBC after noticing a change in attitude towards the broadcasting network.

The 77-year-old star of Monty Python’s Flying Circus and travel documentary maker is worried that the long-established institution is losing the admiration it has formerly held around the world.

Palin told Jeremy Paxman's podcast The Lock In: "I am worried about the BBC because I believe the BBC to be one of the most important institutions in the country. An institution, having travelled the world, it is usually admired wherever I go – but I can see times are changing.”

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Asked by Paxman if the BBC was its own “worst enemy”, Palin, replied: “I think, yeah.”

The BBC was founded as a public service broadcaster back in 1922 and has long been hailed as an exemplary model of informative, educational and entertaining programme making.

But in recent years it has come under accusations of left-wing bias from Conservative MPs, as well as allegations of unequal pay and lack of diversity hiring.

The BBC is funded by the licence fee – which has just risen from £157.50 to £159 per year – and has also come under criticism recently when being compared to the cost of streaming services.

Palin said people were “conned” by claims other platforms are cheaper than the BBC.

The actor and writer underwent heart surgery in 2019 for a leaky mitral valve.

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He has long presented travel documentaries for the BBC - last travelling to North Korea for his documentary Michael Palin in North Korea in 2018.

And he said his recent heart operation will not stop him travelling.

Palin said: "I have another trip in me.”

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