Pilgrims’ progress
HERE’S a celebrity travelogue with a religious twist as seven famous faces take on the arduous 800km pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago.
For centuries, people have walked the medieval route from France to visit the shrine of St James the apostle in northwest Spain.
And now actor Neil Morrissey, entertainer Debbie Mcgee, comedian Ed Byrne, M People singer Heather Small, priest Kate Bottley, journalist Raphael Rowe and TV presenter JJ Chalmers have just over a fortnight as modern-day pilgrims to travel the same path.
Of course, it’s a tough old hike, with hills that knock the breath out of them, but most interesting is the clash of faith and religious belief which throws up plenty of food for thought.
Gogglebox’s Kate, an Anglican priest, believes she is walking in the footsteps of saints as a disciple of God, while Ed firmly believes God does not exist.
“I would like to find out whether I still believe in anything,” says Debbie, widowed in 2016 after losing her husband of 29 years, Paul Daniels. Meanwhile Raphael, who spent 12 years in jail as a young adult for murder until his conviction was finally quashed, says: “I’ve always seen religion as the root of all evil.”
And atheist Neil, just 3km into the journey, wheezes: “I don’t know if I feel closer to God, but I certainly feel closer to death.”
This first stint is one of the most gruelling parts of the route, with Kate struggling to keep up with the group. But as the pilgrims plod on, debating as they go, there is plenty of humour to lighten the load.