We're all well aware in Liverpool of the "Petrenko effect" on the Phil.
But last night I witnessed the "Palin effect" on a room full of people at the Walker Art Gallery.
The former Python, actor, writer and travel guru was at the gallery to open the Art in the Age of Steam Exhibition.
And fans were out in force.
(Michael Palin moments before he was mobbed)
The man himself was wearing a chocolate brown tweed jacket which I think he must feel very comfortable in because I could have sworn I've seen him wearing it on his TV travels.
As NML boss David Fleming gave quite a long introduction, I watched Mr P obviously reading through his speech in his head, concentrating and mouthing some of the words.
He looked a little shy if truth be told.
But as soon as he was on the podium with a microphone in front of him he transformed into a raconteur par excellence.
His speech was entertaining, eloquent and passionate.
He told the audience of his boyhood trainspotting and joked how if only he'd known he was in the exalted company of Monet, Manet and Pissarro who he exclaimed were "all anoraks".
The paintings and photographs, Mr Palin enthused, embody the energy of the Industrial Revolution, capture the majesty of steam, the social implications of the railway and the triumph of engineering.
He also joked about how no other form of transport has generated similar art.
"What would Van Gogh have made of Watford Gap Services?" he asked.
And as for Heathrow's Terminal 5?
Baggage system by Picasso, passengers waiting for their bags courtesy of Edvard Munch!!
I wonder who would have painted the moment the ex-Python paused for a photocall and then because swallowed up in a swarm of middle-aged fans clamouring for an autograph?
