PARENTAL guidance

MICHAEL and JACK WHITEHALL on exploring the meaning of fatherhood

- REBECCA MAHONEY

Following five seasons of their globe-trotting show Travels with My Father, comedian Jack Whitehall and his wisecracking, no-nonsense dad Michael are reuniting for their most momentous adventure yet: Jack’s journey into fatherhood.

Four-part Netflix docuseries Fatherhood with My Father follows the Fresh Meat star as he prepares to welcome his first child, daughter Elsie, with his girlfriend, model Roxy Horner. Each episode covers Jack’s burning questions about parenthood (see box, below), while father and son also discuss the dad that Michael is and the one that Jack hopes to be.

Jack’s mum Hilary joins in, too, as the Whitehalls travel around the UK, Europe and America to examine everything from the technologies of the future to learning survival skills from preppers and ways to live longer.

TV Times caught up with Jack, 36, and Michael, 84, at Netflix’s London HQ for an exclusive interview to find out more…

What can you tell us about this foray into fatherhood?

JACK We wanted this show to be a bit more sophisticated, highbrow and informative. We failed miserably because we can’t help ourselves by pratting around whenever we’re put in front of an expert!

MICHAEL Well, yes, it’s not unlike Travels with My Father, but it’s got a different feeling and something extra about it.