Pilgrims ’ progress
THE modern-day celebrity pilgrims are three days in and there’s a lot of love going around.
It’s proving quite an intense experience as they trek 1,000km to Rome, not to mention dealing with basic accommodation and each other’s snoring.
Stephen K Amos, Les Dennis, Greg Rutherford and Brendan Cole have slept overnight in a yurt, while Lesley Joseph, Katy Brand, Mehreen Baig and Dana Scallon have been in hostel rooms, all in a tiny Tuscan village.
But they are beginning to appreciate that bonding is all part of the process. If they were in separate hotel rooms, they probably
wouldn’t experience a donkey joining them for breakfast.
As the celebs trudge on, it’s quite an insight as they open up about their feelings on faith and lives in general.
Watch out for an emotional scene with Greg, who after getting an impromptu haircut from a man who runs a pilgrims’ rest stop, talks about the struggle of being retired at 31 with his “best days behind him”.
Choking up, he says: “Having something else to fill that void is probably going to be one of the most difficult things I’m ever going to experience.”
Later Greg and Brendan have a profound chat while taking a plunge in some Roman baths, while Lesley and Mehreen receive a pilgrim blessing from a church deacon.
Finally they must set off on the first stretch of the final 100km to Rome, but instantly get lost. Twice. And for one unlucky pilgrim, there’s a case of blisters that might slow things down.