New TV series and book

Michael Palin has headed to the Philippines for his next Channel 5 show.

The former Python will also release a tie-in book about his experiences, following his previous documentaries over the past few years about North Korea, Iraq, Nigeria and Venezuela.

Palin, 82, said: ‘I find these journeys for Channel 5 irresistible and revealing. 

‘Rarely does anyone have the chance to get as close to the great issues of a country as we did in the Philippines. I was a little nervous of taking on yet another journey, especially one so testing on the energy levels, but what we heard and saw was extraordinary and very different from any of the journeys we’ve done so far. A cracker, though I say it myself.’

The accompanying book will be published by Cornerstone on September 24. 

The publishers say: ‘Michael Palin’s latest adventure sees him exploring one of the most fascinatingly complex and contradictory countries on earth: the Philippines. 

‘It’s a popular tourist destination, but also a place of extreme poverty for many. It’s a nation where religious beliefs are strongly held and divorce is illegal, but where political unrest and violence regularly mar everyday life.

‘And, of course, it’s a country still dominated by the legacy of the Marcos family, not least the infamous husband and wife team of Ferdinand and Imelda, whose 21-year rule was dominated by scandal and allegations of corruption.’ 

Palin previously visited the Philippines in 1997 as part of his BBC series Full Circle.

He will also be part of the BBC Comedy Festival in May, as Chortle revealed yesterday.

• Michael Palin In The Philippines  is available to order from Amazon priced £20 in hardback.

Published: 9 Apr 2026