Sir Michael Palin was seen for the first time since his wife sadly died (Picture: Topstar/Backgrid)

A grieving Sir Michael Palin has been seen for the first time since his wife’s death.

The 79-year-old announced on Tuesday (May 2) that Helen had died just weeks after their 57th wedding anniversary.

He said she ‘died peacefully’ in ‘the early hours’ and revealed that Helen had suffered from chronic pain and kidney failure.

Sir Michael wrote in a statement, confirming the sad news: ‘My dearest wife Helen died peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday morning. 

‘She had been suffering with chronic pain for several years, which was compounded a few years ago by a diagnosis of kidney failure.’

He added: ‘We first met on a summer holiday on the Suffolk coast when we were both sixteen and we married in our early twenties. Two and a half weeks ago we celebrated our 57th wedding anniversary.

Sir Michael announced the death of his wife earlier this week (Picture: Topstar/Backgrid)

‘Her death is an indescribable loss for myself, our three children and four grandchildren.

‘Helen was the bedrock of my life. Her quietly wise judgment informed all my decisions and her humour and practical good sense was was at the heart of our life together.

He concluded by asking for privacy.

New images now show the actor following his wife’s death, stepping out for a friend in London.

The actor shared a warm hug with a friend as they left the restaurant in London (Picture: Topstar/Backgrid)

The pair were engrossed in conversation (Picture: Topstar/Backgrid)

The Monty Python comic was seen heading for a meal at Lemonia restaurant in Primrose Hill.

He greeted his pal with a hug following his loss.

As they left the restaurant, they appeared engrossed in conversation, before the male pal placed a hand on Sir Michael’s shoulder as they walked.

Sir Michael first spoke about his late wife’s poor health last September, as she was moved into respite care after living in their family home for 50 years.

Sir Michael married Helen in 1966 (Picture: Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock)

The couple had three children together and lived in their family home for 50 years before Helen’s respite (Picture: Alan Davidson/Shutterstock)

The comic told the Telegraph at the time that his wife had not been responding to medication for her chronic pain.

‘I don’t think you can cure it, but they will help her manage it,’ he said.

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‘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.’

Sir Michael and Helen, who wed in 1966, had three children: Tom, Will, and Rachel, who are all grown up and now parents themselves.

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Helen died on Tuesday after suffering from chronic pain and kidney failure.