Lord Sainsbury

Michael Palin established his reputation as a comedy performer and writer with Monty Python's Flying Circus. His films include A Private Function, and an award-winning performance in A Fish Called Wanda.

As a celebrated globetrotter his television credits include the highly successful travel series Around the World in 80 Days, Pole to Pole and, most recently, Brazil.

He has published two volumes of remarkable diaries which have been praised widely. He discusses these and his work with Christopher Stevens, biographer of Kenneth Williams (another indefatigable diarist).