STIRRING up conflict is often a key element of reality TV. Viewers have come to expect spats, rows and clashing egos.
However, for the seven celebrities taking part in BBC2’s fifth Pilgrimage series – The Road Through Portugal – the experience was largely one of bonds and friendships.
“The best thing for me was definitely the friendships that we’ve made,” says Paralympic skier Millie Knight, 24 – quipping that “no one’s left the WhatsApp group” since they got back.
It’s a feeling that’s shared by her fellow pilgrims: actor Su Pollard, 73; maths teacher and broadcaster Bobby Seagull, 39; media personality and influencer Vicky Pattison, 35; former EastEnders star Rita Simons, 46; comedian Nabil Abdulrashid, 37, and Boyzone’s Shane Lynch, 46.
That’s not to say it wasn’t challenging. Set over three episodes, the show sees the group hike 364km over 15 days, along the northern route of the country’s Fatima Way.
They’re carrying their own backpacks, sleeping in basic campsites and cramped, rough-and-ready hostels, often facing long stretches without hot running water and proper toilets – all with a backdrop of religion – their route ends at the Sanctuary in the city of Fatima, one of the world’s biggest Catholic pilgrimage destinations.
For Nabil, TV needs more of this. “People want peace, people want friendship. We have enough conflict in the world. We don’t need to create it on our TV screens,” says the stand-up star, noting that he’s experienced shows where “everyone couldn’t be around each other afterwards”.
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Denne historien er fra April 01, 2023-utgaven av The Herald.
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OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
HATCH BENEFITS FROM THE MISFORTUNE OF TEAM-MATES
Randell relishing his new role for Pilgrims
MIDFIELDER IS LEARNING A LOT UNDER HEAD COACH ROONEY
McPhee delighted with the response of Parkway players
IT was the former Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, who famously said that a week is a long time in politics.
Making a song and dance of it
JOAQUIN PHOENIX AND LADY GAGA UNITE FOR A JOKER SEQUEL WHICH DITCHES THE FIRST FILM'S BLOOD, GORE AND ACTION FOR A MORE MELODIC APPROACH
Historic 'house of pleasure' is to be restored
A GEORGIAN 'pleasure house' in the grounds of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park is to undergo a restoration and revival.
Law change plan for assisted dying
PROPOSALS to change the law to give terminally ill people \"choice at the end of life\" are to be introduced in Parliament this month.
Jenrick claim blasted
SAS: Who Dares Wins star Mark \"Billy\" Billingham has said Robert Jenrick's claim that the special forces are \"killing rather than capturing\" terrorists is \"absolutely ridiculous\".
Israeli order to evacuate
THE Israeli military yesterday ordered the evacuation of villages and towns in southern Lebanon that are north of a United Nationsdeclared buffer zone established after the 2006 war.
Prison sentence for sex offender
INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN DISCOVERED
MP to join Warrior Women Walk
EVENT SUPPORTS DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS