Sir Michael Palin was today awarded an honorary degree at the University of Oxford among five other widely-esteemed recipients representing the fields of science, business, academia, music and entertainment.

The actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter was awarded the degree at the annual ceremony of Encaenia, which is where honorary degrees are conferred by the university to distinguished individuals.

Mr Palin has written and starred in numerous TV programmes, including Monty Python, and has made several much-acclaimed travel documentaries.

He read modern history at Brasenose College, Oxford.

The five other recipients were Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to become director general of the World Trade Organization; computer scientist, artificial intelligence researcher and entrepreneur Sir Demis Hassabis; Professor Salim Yusuf, an internationally renowned cardiologist and epidemiologist; musician, sitarist, composer and producer, Anoushka Shankar; and engineer and businessperson Warren East who was CEO for Rolls-Royce Holdings.

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In the morning, recipients signed their names in the Honorary Degrees Book before moving to the Sheldonian Theatre where the Encaenia ceremony has been held in some form since 1670.

Professor Irene Tracey, vice-chancellor of Oxford University and chairwoman of the Committee on Honorary Degrees, said: "We are delighted to mark this special day in the university's calendar and to recognise the outstanding contribution that our six honorands have made to their respective fields.

'From AI, engineering and economics, to music, medicine and the world of television and travel writing, our honorands have impacted our world in so many different ways, and we are thrilled to welcome them to Oxford."