Actor and TV presenter Michael Palin is to be honoured by Queen's University in Belfast.

He is to receive an honorary degree from the university alongside former Irish premier Garret FitzGerald, community worker Baroness Blood, local trades union activist Inez MacCormack and outgoing chancellor of the University of Ulster, Rabbi Julia Neuberger.

The former Python star will be awarded the degree for services to film, television and literature during the university's summer graduation ceremonies.

Michael Palin is famous for his roles in the Monty Python movies and TV series which include Pole to Pole, Full Circle and Great Railway Journeys.

Dr FitzGerald's honorary degree is for services to higher education and distinction as a statesman.

As taoiseach, Dr FitzGerald initiated the New Ireland Forum in 1983. A former academic, he was elected to the Republic's parliament in 1969.

As a member, and later leader of the Fine Gael Party, he served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and later taoiseach, from 1981 to 1987, in inter-party governments.

He was also the Irish premier who signed the Anglo-Irish agreement with the then British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, in 1985.

The contributions to the university and the wider community of former IDB chairman and Queen's pro-chancellor John McGuckian, former pro-chancellor Clare Macmahon and former honorary treasurer, Noel Stewart, will also be recognised.