Michael Palin issues career update after wife's devastating death

Sir Michael Palin has issued a career update as he reflected on his 57-year marriage to his childhood sweetheart Helen Gibbins who died a year ago.

During a candid conversation on BBC Radio 4 with presenter Nick Robinson, the 80-year-old actor explained he "needed to do something" after Helen died.

She was undergoing dialysis and living with chronic pain before she made the decision to "give it up" after speaking with her family and doctors.

Michael lost his wife Helen last year (Image: GETTY )Michael, who met his late wife at the tender age of 16 years old, was left heartbroken by her passing, but has returned to work which he claimed "Helen would have wanted".

He continued: "When we were together for 57 years we had a good time, and you know, I still hear her laughing at me a lot when I am saying when I am doing stupid things on the radio or whatever.

Sir Michael addressed his heartbreaking loss (Image: BBC)"After 57 years that's like losing a little bit of your rudder on a ship," the actor admitted during the emotional interview.