HE is known as one of the nicest men on TV - and as the crowds that turned out for him yesterday proved, he is also one of the most popular.
Michael Palin first found fame as one of the Monty Python team and went on to become a comic actor of renown.
But it is as a TV travel star that he has found success recently, starting when he followed in the footsteps of Phileas Fogg by travelling around the world in 80 days,.
His latest trek saw him crossing the Sahara desert.
When he turned up in York to sign copies of the book that goes with the TV series, his fans turned out in droves. A 100-metre queue snaked through the centre of York as they patiently waited to meet their hero at the city's Borders bookshop.
Winn Richardson, an 89-year-old from Bridlington, was first in the queue and waited for two hours to be sure of her position.
"I am his number one fan," she said. "I've got all his books and love his programmes."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article