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Monty Python Member Michael Palin, 83, Breaks Ribs and Pelvis in Fall
The comedian canceled his book tour; experts explain how older adults can reduce their risk at home
3-minute read
Michael Palin, seen here on Nov. 1, 2025, in London, just canceled his book tour after injuring himself during a fall at home.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BFI
Key takeaways
- Michael Palin said he slipped in the bathroom of the home where he has lived for 58 years.
- More than 1 in 4 adults 65 and older fall each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- A fall-risk assessment can identify problems with balance, vision or medications that may need attention.
Monty Python member Michael Palin, 83, has canceled his upcoming book tour and other appearances for the next few months after fracturing three ribs and his pelvis in a fall at home.
“My accident was quite unsensational, a slip in the family bathroom where I’ve walked for 58 years,” he wrote on Instagram on Oct. 13.
Palin said he landed on his left side and noted that recovery could take time, “especially when you’re 83.”
“It was a comedy fall with no audience there to see it,” he added. “I shall stick to fish slapping dances from now on.”
A scene from the film “Monty Python And The Holy Grail,” starring John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Graham Chapman.
Allstar Picture Library Ltd /Monty Python Pictures/Alamy Stock Photo
Presumably, he was referring to one of Monty Python’s most iconic sketches.
The cancellations come as Palin appears in Small Prophets, the British comedy that premiered on Apple TV in the U.S. on Oct. 7. He plays Brian, the father of a man whose girlfriend has disappeared.
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Why falls can be dangerous for older adults
Falls can cause broken bones and head injuries that make it difficult to walk, manage everyday tasks or continue living independently, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One in four older adults reports falling each year, the CDC says.
Falling once doubles the likelihood of another fall.
Muscle weakness, changes in vision and medications that affect balance can increase the risk of falling, according to the CDC. Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more likely to break in a fall.
Even without an injury, a fall can leave someone afraid to stay active. Moving less can lead to weakness and increase the risk of another fall, the CDC says.
“Falls, even those without any lasting injuries, can be emotionally traumatic to adults, jarring one’s sense of confidence,” Dr. Karin Ouchida, a geriatrician at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, previously told AARP.
How to lower your risk of falling
Start with the bathroom. Install grab bars near the toilet and inside and outside the tub or shower. Ordinary towel bars cannot safely substitute for grab bars. A shower chair can also help people who tire while standing.
“For our patients who are easily fatigued, a shower chair is a great alternative,” Dr. Emily Samuels, a geriatrician at Mount Sinai in New York, previously told AARP.
Clear a path and improve lighting. Remove loose rugs, keep electrical cords out of walkways and make sure stairs and the route to the bathroom have enough light.
After a fall
For steps to take when you are uninjured and ready to rise, read AARP’s guide to getting up safely after a fall.
“The electric cords and wires and things, just make sure that they’re tucked away and not running across a walkway in your house,” Stephen Merrill, a nurse at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, told AARP.
Check your shoes. Choose secure footwear with slip-resistant soles. Avoid loose slippers that slide around on your feet.
Review your medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether any prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines could make you dizzy or sleepy. Report new dizziness or changes in balance.
Work on strength and balance. The CDC recommends exercises that strengthen your legs and improve balance, such as tai chi. A clinician can also assess whether a cane, walker or physical therapy would help.
“When someone has the appropriate assistive device for walking, they actually end up walking more,” Samuels told AARP.
What to do if you fall
After a fall, pause before trying to get up and check for injuries.
“If something hurts as you move, it is best to remain on the floor and seek assistance,” Leah Verebes, an assistant professor in Touro University’s physical therapy program in New York, previously told AARP.
Keep a phone or medical alert device within reach so you can call for help. If you hit your head, seek medical attention right away, particularly if you take blood thinners, the CDC advises.
Even if you feel unhurt, tell your doctor about the fall. An assessment can help identify its cause and reduce the chance of another.
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