Britain’s ancient tracks are explored

If your idea of a nice stroll includes visits to megaliths, burial sites and hidden caves, then you might want to follow in Tony Robinson’s footsteps and explore some of Britain’s ancient tracks.

The actor and presenter provides plenty of inspiration for day trips in this second episode of this series (Ancient Tracks With Tony Robinson, Channel 4, 8pm), which sees him following the Ridgeway, starting on the Downs in Wiltshire.

The route takes him across the high chalk ridge in Oxfordshire, and into Berkshire, before rejoining the 21st century on the banks of Thames.

Before he goes back to the present, Tony visits a world-famous stone circle, learns more about Celtic chariots, uncovers the secrets of a white horse and goes exploring in a burial chamber that predates the pyramids.

Ancient Tracks is the latest feather in the cap for a man who has successfully juggled many career balls. And his diverse work has not gone unnoticed by the powers that be.

Tony and his wife were in Australia when they found out he had been awarded a knighthood. They heard rumours he was going to get something from Buckingham Palace, so when the news arrived that it was a KBE, they were like a couple of kids on Christmas morning.

However, without the support of his parents, who obviously play a key part in his new autobiography No Cunning Plan, Tony’s life could have been a less successful affair.

Given his dad’s love of boogie woogie piano and his mum’s passion for amateur dramatics, there was little wonder young Tony felt at home in showbusiness. His folks instilled in him a confidence that helped him on the road to success.

The Hackney-born thespian ho ned his craft in re pat Leeds’s West Yorkshire Playhouse; was a driving force behind Birmingham’s Mid- land Arts Centre, and started making wave son TV in sitcom Doctor in Charge, and Play Away. He also had a bit part in one of John Wayne’ s last films, Brannigan.

Though a relatively small part of his career, it was of course Baldrick, Blackadder’s nice-but-dim-assistant in those sitcoms that endeared him to millions - eventually.

While the first series in 1983 was light on laughs and heavy on authenticity, a second run looked unlikely. All good sitcoms need at least one series to bed in, and once the budget was cut and Ben Elton worked magic with co-writer Richard Curtis, a comedy classic was born with Blackadder II.

Over four series and a couple of specials, Tony was the comic stooge to Rowan Atkinson’s hysterical, historic hero.

So as you enjoy the latest show from a man who has spent decades educating and entertaining the nation, feel free to raisea cuppa to a star as valuable as many of the treasures he unearthed on Time Team.