The Greatest time new odd couple
met Grado before. He is something else. He’s brilliant. I think we make a bizarre yet great combo. He’s up for anything, just like me, and he has bags of energy and so have I.
“We come f rom pret t y different walks of life but sports people and folk from the military tend to get on. I had a great time with him but I won’t be getting in a wrestling match with him any time soon as my injured arms would fall off.”
Grado, 34, whose real name is Graeme Stevely, revealed he has always been a big fan of his new pal and co- host JJ, who was 23 when hi s l imbs were shattered in an IED explosion.
The radio presenter, from
Stevenston, Ayrshire, said: “I have big, big respect for the guy. He’s some man. I had never met him before but we got on really well. He has done so much and overcome so many things.
“We may be f rom ver y different backgrounds but we are both athletes.
“We bring different things to the show. I bring the fun and the carry on and he does the serious stuff. We are like yin and yang and it works.”
Each week in the new BBC Scotland series, which starts on Wednesday at 10pm, three ho l iday locations vie for the chance to be b awarded the title of Scotland’s Sc Greatest Escape. From wellness retreats to adrenaline-fuelled ad activity bre breaks, romantic getaways to family fam fun, the destinations will be road-tested by “Great Escap Escapers”. These holidaymakers spend one night at each location, judging judg their stay on four criteria crite – accommodation, activities activ on offer, customer service servi and overall experience. The Th f inal sees some of Scotland’s Scotl most experienced and renowned hospitality and tourism experts choose which will be awarded the coveted title of Scotland’s Greatest Escape. JJ, who lives in Dunfermline with his wife Kornelia and chi ldren Hayley, six, and James, four, said: “I have done several travel shows and think this is a great format. Scotland has so much to offer when it comes to holidays and everyone likes a wee bit of competition – you put those things together and it has the makings of a wonderful programme. “This is the time of year when folk are looking for ideas for the summer. There is something for everyone, whether they are looking for a luxury stay in a castle or a budget camping trip.”
Grado, who is dad to 15-month- old daughter Perrie, said: “I had the best time gallivanting to places I didn’t even know existed in Scotland. Whenever I want to go on a wee break, it has always been to the same type of places like Arran because I live so close but the show has opened my eyes and I’ll be trying some of the destinations out.
“There’s a place near Dundee where you get to stay in tree houses which blew my mind.”
He added: “The best part of the show for me was meeting all the ‘Great Escapers’. They were all so much fun. Folk get sick of celebrities doing travel shows. Viewers are much more likely to trust the opinions of everyday people telling it like it is.”
Olympic and Paralympic commentator JJ said he heads to Ullapool in the Highlands when he wants to escape.
He revealed: “If someone were to ask me where I would like to go tomorrow, it would be Ullapool every time. You can get there in four hours and it feels like another world.
“When I was younger my favourite escape was Crieff Hydro with my family. Ironically that is where we f ilmed the grand final of the show.”
For Grado, Butlin’s in Ayr will always be his most memorable escape. He said: “It’s down to Butlin’s that I became a wrestler. I saw my first ever match there and I was hooked.”
He added: “Who wouldn’t want to escape to anywhere but Scotland? We are spoilt when it comes to choosing a staycation.”
Scot Squad actor Grado and Strictly star JJ on hitting if off as presenters for travel series