Michael Palin cancels tour after fall fractures three ribs

Michael Palin has cancelled his book tour and other public events for the coming months after a fall at home left him with three fractured ribs and a minor pelvic fracture, according to an account he shared on Instagram. Palin, 83, said he slipped in the family bathroom and fell heavily on his left side. He described the fall as unsensational and said recovery from bone fractures takes a long time, particularly at his age. His account was repeated in announcements about the cancellations. The tour had been planned to promote his travel book, In The Philippines, with appearances around the UK. A statement on Palin’s website said ticket holders would be contacted with rescheduled dates when they become available. No replacement dates have been announced. Palin apologised to people who had already worked on the tour and thanked the NHS for its care. He also joked about the fall, calling it a comedy fall with no audience to see it and referring to a Monty Python sketch. The joke did not change the status of the cancelled appearances. The cancellations cover the book tour as well as other events over the coming months.