Michael Palin's son used to ''deny'' the Monty Python star was his father.

Tom Palin, 47, admits he was an ''idiot'' to ignore his dad's fame because he felt pressure to follow a similar career path, despite the 72-year-old star never pushing him to be a comic.

Tom said: ''There was a time - back when I thought I had to fill the shoes of a very famous man - when I denied being Michael Palin's son.

''What an idiot! Yes he's famous, but he's famous for being funny and a really nice bloke. I'm so lucky. I couldn't wish for a better father.''

Tom - a former music producer who now runs a camping shop - thought Monty Python were ''boring'' as a youngster, preferring rival comedy troupe The Goodies, but learned to appreciate his dad's humour ahead of the 'Monty Python Live (Mostly)' reunion shows in 2014.

He added in a joint interview with his father in the Sunday Times magazine: ''I went through most of my life ignoring Monty Python but when the reunion was announced, I went back and watched some of the old stuff.

''There was a young version of Dad - younger than I am - and he made me laugh. It wasn't nasty humour. It was just silly. They took the p**s out of cheese shops and philosophers.''