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*Latest Series - Pilgrimage

Series 1-4

Duration: 12 x 60'

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This highly acclaimed travelogue series sees well known personalities tested both physically and spiritually as they embark on a modern day pilgrimage.

For our Pilgrims, it will be a journey of discovery and adventure, with the aim to promote tolerance for all faiths and cultures.

Donning backpacks and walking boots, they’ll stay in basic hostels, sleep in shared dorms, and follow a largely untrodden route.

With just over two weeks to complete their pilgrimage, they’ll visit historical monuments and buildings and see first-hand how religions have clashed over the centuries, from the Ottomans right up to more recent, 20th century conflicts.

But how will the Pilgrims cope with the physical challenge and will this journey change how they feel about themselves and their beliefs?

Pilgrimage: The Road to Santiago

Seven famous faces are stripped of their everyday comforts to live as modern day pilgrims as they set out on the famous medieval pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago.

With just over a fortnight to tackle this ancient path, actor Neil Morrissey, entertainer Debbie McGee, comedian Ed Byrne, singer Heather Small, priest Kate Bottley, journalist Raphael Rowe and TV presenter JJ Chalmers hike through France and northern Spain to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and the shrine of St James. The group – made up of a variety of faiths and beliefs, including Christian, atheist and humanist – will live as simple pilgrims.

Will this journey of a lifetime change the way they think about themselves and their faith?


Pilgrimage: The Road to Rome

Eight celebrities of differing faiths and beliefs don backpacks and walking boots to tackle part of an ancient pilgrimage to Rome, where a private audience with the Pope awaits.

Starting in the Swiss Alps and ending in St Peter’s Square, Rome, this extraordinary journey will test the Pilgrims as they walk this stunning iconic route steeped in history and tradition.

The famous faces all stripped of their luxuries include TV personality, Les Dennis, comedian Katy Brand, Olympic athlete, Greg Rutherford, actress, Lesley Joseph, Strictly Come Dancing star, Brendan Cole, comedian Stephen K Amos, TV presenter, Mehreen Baig and Eurovision Song Contest winner and former politician, Dana.


Pilgrimage: The Road to Istanbul

Seven new famous faces will take to the open road as they follow a completely different route, by road and on foot.

This time, journalist Adrian Chiles, a converted Catholic; former politician Edwina Currie, a lapsed Jew; Olympian Fatima Whitbread, a practicing Christian; broadcaster Mim Shaikh and television presenter Amar Latif, both Muslims; and two confirmed atheists, comedian Dom Joly and actor Pauline McLynn, will live as simple pilgrims following an ancient military route to the historic city of Istanbul, which has been transformed into a modern-day path of peace.

Donning backpacks and walking boots, they’ll stay in basic hostels, sleep in shared dorms, and follow a largely untrodden route formed just over 10 years ago.

Starting in Serbia’s capital city Belgrade, the Pilgrims will travel through Bulgaria and the mountainous Balkans, before crossing the border into Turkey, with their goal of reaching Istanbul and the magnificent Suleymaniye Mosque.

 

Pilgrimage: The Road to the Scottish Isles

The critically acclaimed series Pilgrimage returns, as seven well known personalities of differing faiths and beliefs embark on a journey of religious and spiritual awakening across land and sea, from Ireland to Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The new Pilgrims include, Interior designer and TV personality, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, who describes himself as a non-conforming pagan; England cricketing legend, Monty Panesar - a practising Sikh; actress, Louisa Clein, who is Jewish; TV personality Nick Hewer - an agnostic with Catholic roots; TV presenter and podcast host, social media influencer, Scarlett Moffatt - a Christian; comedian, Shazia Mirza - a Muslim; and Paralympian, Will Bayley - a lapsed Christian.

Over fifteen days, the seven pilgrims will follow in the footsteps of the sixth century Irish monk, Saint Columba, seeking out his legacy as a key figure in early British Christianity who helped spread the faith from Ireland to Scotland and beyond.

Following ancient pilgrimages and heritage walking trails, the celebrity pilgrims begin their journey in the town of Donegal in the Republic of Ireland, then travel through Northern Ireland and over the sea by boat to western Scotland.

 

What the Press Say:

"It may sound like another excuse to put celebs through the mill, but this three-parter turns out to be a truly thought-provoking and well-made piece of telly ★★★★★" - TV Times Magazine -

"...the meeting with Pope Francis proves surprising, moving and pretty extraordinary. Even one of the group's least religious members says tearfully, "This is what I've been waiting for for a long time." David Butcher, Radio Times 

“An engaging and entertaining way to address the kind of spiritual matters that rarely make it to prime time.” **** – The Mail on Sunday

“Touching and comic” – Weekend, (Daily Mail)

“…most interesting is the clash of faith and religious belief which throws up plenty of food for thought” – Daily Mirror

“A rewarding, often entertaining watch with an extra ethical/spiritual/religious dimension.” **** – Radio Times

“A fascinating mix and…entertaining” – Daily Telegraph

“There are some fascinating conversations… (and) touching moments” – The Observer

Best TV Shows of 2018 – Radio Times

In the Top 20 TV picks – Closer Magazine

Pick of the Day – Daily Mail

Pick of the Day – i

TV Choice – Metro

Pick of the Week – The Sunday Times

Very Best of the Week – The Sunday Telegraph

Unmissable TV Show – The Mail on Sunday

Highlighted TV Choice – What’s on TV

Tonight’s Picks – The Sun

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