Did I ever tell you about the time I had an acting scene with one of Britain’s national treasures…a star of Monty Python, films and other TV.

OK it was just one line and what could best be described as a walk-on part but me and Michael Palin were a double act in the making.

The reason for this brief dalliance with the world of drama?

Well, back in 1993, Mr Palin, as I recall, had a financial interest in the then brand new commercial TV channel for the south, Meridian TV, which covered the Isle of Wight.

Isle of Wight County Press: How the County Press announced the series Palin's Column.How the County Press announced the series Palin's Column. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

A contractual obligation meant he had to make a couple of programmes for the fledgling company and one of these was Palin’s Column.

SCROLL DOWN to see an episode of Palin's Column

The premise was that Michael was working as a columnist for the County Press and he was based in our Brannon House offices for a few weeks.

The office was alive with chatter about this big star of film and TV coming into our midst and editor at the time Peter Hurst put us all on our best behaviour.

Isle of Wight County Press: Then County Press deputy editor Mike Sutcliffe and Michael Palin in the CP newsroom.Then County Press deputy editor Mike Sutcliffe and Michael Palin in the CP newsroom. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Michael P was entertained at the home of Peter and the stage was set for a great publicity boost for the paper.

Over four episodes, the Python star travelled around the Island looking for material for his column, meeting up with a knitting circle at his base, a guesthouse run by Jim and Helen Ashpole in Ventnor, travelling to the town on the boat of Cheetah Marine owner Sean Strevens and getting involved with a horticultural show in Godshill Village Hall.

Isle of Wight County Press: A scene from Palin's Column showing children at harvest festival at St Agnes's Church, Freshwater Bay..A scene from Palin's Column showing children at harvest festival at St Agnes's Church, Freshwater Bay.. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

The show, as with Jewel of the South on Channel 5 at the moment, presents an idyllic view of the Isle of Wight, but, although nearly 30 years old, is a joyride for those of a certain age who will lament the fact a lot of the locations (such as The Needles, now unmanned) have changed immeasurably.

I will always dine out on the time I swapped lines with a Python star but the best story involved my silk tie.

Being a dashing young blade at the time my neckware was the only one made of natural materials...and as man-made ties played havoc with the clip on microphones, it had to be passed round the journalists being interviewed. It can be spotted if you look hard enough!