Michael Palin opens up about wife's devastating ill-health

msn.com:

Michael Palin, 79, has been married to his wife Helen for 56 years, and in a recent interview, the presenter shared that his beloved partner is unwell. READ: Everything you need to know about Michael Palin: age, children, net worth and moreThe Michael Palin In Iraq presenter shared that Helen has been suffering with pain that is not responding to medication, and has moved into respite care from the home they've shared for 50 years. Michael Palin and his wife Helen have been married since 1966"I don't think you can cure it, but they will help her manage it," Michael told The Telegraph Magazine. "It's such a bore.

She was so active and still is mentally. But the body is declining. We live life with our fingers crossed. "MORE: Meet Gardener's World star Monty Don's family hereREAD: Gary Barlow's wife undergoes 'big operation' – all the detailsMichael and Helen got married in 1966 after a six-year relationship.

They share three children, Tom, Will and Rachel, who have gone onto have children of their own in recent years. Michael has been through health struggles of his own in his seventies.

At 73 he underwent a heart operation to fix a valve, writing about the health scare on his blog, explaining: "My heart scare reminded me that my body isn't indestructible and if I want to keep it that way I must know when to stop working as well as when to start again. "Michael Palin is still working hard at 79"Over the last year, I discovered a rather enjoyable equilibrium, a balance between work and relaxation that for the first time in my life favoured the latter," he continued.