Desert Island Discs from outside. Roy Plomley enforced these rules strictly. He did, however, grant a special dispensation to Princess Michael of Kent, who chose her pet cat. The rules are, however, less strictly enforced today; for instance, Lawley allowed John Cleese to take Michael Palin with him, on the condition that he was dead and stuffed. Examples of luxuries have included champagne and a piano, the latter of which is one of the most requested luxuries. After Plomley's death in 1985, the programme was presented by Michael Parkinson and from 1988 by Sue Lawley. Lawley stepped down in August 2006 after 18
Full Circle – Michael Palin various locations in the Russia, United States, Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Mexico and Canada, with each region appearing as a separate chapter. Each chapter features a day-by-day recount, similar to a diary, with headings such as "Day 43 - Huis Ten Bosch". There are occasional breaks in this format, however, where particular days are not mentioned. The trip described in the book covered through 17 countries over a period of ten months, the longest of Palin's trips. This book was made available as an audiobook, read by Michael Palin.