Monty Python star Michael Palin has vowed to keep on working after receiving one of TV’s most prestigious awards – while his long time collaborator Terry Jones joked that he is “green with envy”.

Mr Palin was presented with the Bafta Fellowship at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday – a week after he turned 70 – in recognition of his achievements in a career of nearly five decades.

The comedian, broadcaster and writer, who lives in Gospel Oak, said the award was a “huge honour”, but it does not mean he has any plans to retire.

He told the Ham&High: “The tricky thing when one is given these awards is that people think you’re retiring, you’re going to sit in the garden with your slippers and the Bafta by your side.”

He added: “It’s a huge honour because it’s one of Bafta’s top awards and I suppose it’s just nice to know that all the different works I have done over 48 years are still appreciated and valued. There’s a nice feeling that the work is not just ephemeral and ‘here today gone tomorrow’.”

Mr Palin, who was presented with the award by fellow Python Mr Jones, revealed he has several projects on the boil. These include the paperback release of his novel The Truth, first published last year, a third volume of his diaries and a new documentary series for the BBC. “I’ve got lots of things to do,” he said.

Reflecting on his diverse career, Mr Palin said he had enjoyed the variety because he has “a low boredom threshold”, while he named the Ripping Yarns series of the late-1970s as some of his best comedy work.

He added: “Getting to the South Pole on the travel series was quite an achievement, and being able to deliver a piece to camera there. But I don’t go back and watch myself much. If I do, I tend to see what’s wrong rather than what’s right.”

He added that receiving the award from “probably my closest friend in my career and my life” made the ceremony feel “very personal”.

Mr Jones, 71, who lives in Highgate, said he had been on the verge of tears and then joked: “I felt very jealous of course and I wish I had the award instead of Michael. I’m green with envy.”