Sir Michael Palin believes his comedy background "helps" his travel documentaries

He told reporters: "I think doing comedy helps. Having a sense of humour about travelling and the people you meet, that's a very strong thing. It's a very good way to build a bridge between people, like eating. Doing something daft, people quite like that."

While Michael is a "natural optimist", he isn't afraid to show his genuine feelings and reactions on camera.

He said: "I'm a natural optimist, in any situation I try and find something that is encouraging or is exceptional or is inspirational.

"I don't let myself get down, but sometimes you do.

"I also like to show on camera what I'm feeling, I don't think there's any point in grinning all the time."

The 82-year-old broadcaster hopes his travel shows encourage people to find out more about countries they may have had preconceptions about.

He said: "The message is: find out more. How do you really find out what is happening in the world?

"What I'm trying to do is try and open up the world a bit. Push the door open and say to people, 'Look, there are countries like this and they may have a bad reputation but there are people there and they are making their lives there, what are they like? Are they depressed? How to do they deal with the problems?'

"Often it's quite inspirational because they deal with the problems very well."