Team spirit

Adrian Chiles on his conversion to Catholicism and a life-changing journey

- ELAINE REILLY

The advice about never discussing religion goes out the window this week as BBC2’s acclaimed series Pilgrimage returns for a third run with a brand-new group of celebrities ready to embark on a journey of discovery.

Joining journalist and converted Catholic Adrian Chiles are Olympian and Christian Fatima Whitbread and Jewish expolitician Edwina Currie along with presenters Mim Shaikh and Amar Latif, who are both Muslims, and two confirmed atheists, comedian Dom Joly and actor Pauline McLynn.

After previous pilgrimages to Santiago and Rome, this time the celebrities will embark on a two-week adventure following an ancient military route beginning in Belgrade, Serbia, and going to the historic Turkish city of Istanbul.

Here, Adrian, who turns 53 on 21 March, tells TV Times how the experience has changed his life…

Why did you want to take part?