Two men in a boat and all at sea
BRITAIN BY BOAT Channel 5, 8pm
IN the latest ‘let’ssend-a-celebrity travelling’ format, Michael Buerk and John Sergeant take to the seas around Britain. “It’s never too late to go on an adventure of a lifetime,” says former BBC newsreader Michael. Then there’s some banter about rusty crew mates.
But the adventure takes a little while to get going. Within about five minutes of them setting off from Lowestoft Harbour, the engine fails.
There’s a lot of yelling for the anchor to avoid crashing into the docks.
Michael and former political correspondent John loiter in the background, unsure what to do.
Then, as the crew try to fix the problem back at the harbour, the old pals wonder how long it is reasonable to look helpful before skipping off to the pub.
“It’s in everyone’s interests if we get out of the way,” says Michael.
If this is anything to go by for the series, you’ll quickly feel sorry for the two pro sailors with them, Mungo and Stella, who do absolutely everything.
Otherwise, this is a gentle tour of Britain’s coastline, which is less ‘adventure of the high seas’ and more ‘two grumpy sailors’.
When they eventually get going, they head to West Mersea, known for its shellfish and oysters.
Then there’s a challenge as they attempt to cross the Thames Estuary – a maze of shifting sandbanks and treacherous tides. They encounter a genuine Dunkirk rescue boat on route as they steer the Bonaventure to safety.
And at the end, unsurprisingly, there’s a celebratory drink.