Michael Palin to visit the Philippines for new 5 series

Travel presenter and former Monty Python star Sir Michael Palin is to visit the Philippines for a new 5 series.

The three-part Michael Palin In The Philippines, will see the 82-year-old explore the Asian country’s history and its present reputation as a tourist location, despite many in the country being in poverty.

Sir Michael said: “I find these journeys for 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 show will see Sir Michael visit the country’s capital, Manilla, and the militarised island of Pagasa in the middle of the contested South China Sea, where finds himself in the middle of a conflict between Philippine and Chinese coastguard ships.

He will also visit beach camps in El Nido, travel through the underground rivers of Moalboal and see the destroyed city of Marawi.

Guy Davies, consultant editor for commissioning at 5, added: “Michael’s new series for 5 is as challenging, insightful, and visually stunning.

“He is energetic and interested in people’s stories as ever. I still can’t believe he’s on his fifth consecutive journey for us, and he’s as energetic, funny, and warm-hearted as ever.”

The series will be accompanied by a book of the same name published by Hutchinson Heinemann, with a release date for the show yet to be announced.

Sir Michael’s previous travel shows for 5 have seen him visit Venezuela, Nigeria, Iraq, and North Korea.

Having starred in Monty Python’s Flying Circus from 1969 to 1974, Sir Michael moved into travel programmes for the BBC with his Around The World In 80 Days With Michael Palin in 1989.