Hit BBC travelogue hosted by two huge TV stars returns for second series – and this time they are going long haul
THE first run of their BBC travelogue The Grand Tour was a huge hit.
Now, Rylan Clark and Rob Rinder are jetting off for a second series — longer-haul than their Italian adventure, which aired earlier this year.
It follows months of talks to choose a destination to match their previous outing.
While Greece, Spain and France were all considered, I can now reveal they will head east for a season entitled A Passage To India, named after the 1924 novel by E.M. Forster.
An insider said: “It took a long time to decide where to send Rob and Rylan after their first series — a hard act to follow. But series two will see them travelling across India to experience its unique culture, architecture and art.
“It’s going to be as action- pack as the first series, if not more, and being so far away from home will no doubt see Rob and Rylan experience plenty of firsts.”
Last year the pals journeyed from Venice to Florence and Rome.
It comes as no surprise that it led to a second series — which I previously revealed — because the fan reaction and viewing figures were equally impressive.
A source said: “The team behind the show didn’t want to take a gap year before starting work again, and Rob and Rylan wanted to hit the road.”
In series one, the duo followed in the footsteps of society Brits from the 17th to 19th centuries who visited Italy to broaden their minds.
Renaissance fan Rob introduced Rylan to art, architecture and history, while at times his friend gave him confidence to step out of his own comfort zone.
Who knows what they’ll be up to next?
SHERI’S GRAVE MOMENT
SHERIDAN SMITH bears a bouquet of flowers for a graveside visit as she plays campaigner mother Ann Ming in heart-rending new biopic I Fought The Law.
The drama will tell how Ann battled to bring her daughter Julie Hogg’s murderer to justice as she successfully campaigned to change the centuries-old double jeopardy law preventing criminals from being retried for an offence.
Killer William “Billy” Dunlop was jailed in 2006 after admitting to the murder, thanks to Ann’s 15-year fight.
As Sheridan fimed the graveyard scene, Ann was pictured on set, watching to ensure the drama was sticking closely to the truth.
- I Fought The Law will air on ITV1 and ITVX.
JOANNA IS HAVING A RIOT
THE LARKINS actress Joanna Scanlan is rocking out in a new BBC drama.
Riot Women, written by Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright, tells the story of five middle-aged women who come together as a punk band to enter a local talent contest.
But as they juggle demanding jobs, grown-up children, complicated families and disastrous relationships, the process of writing their first song reveals they have a whole lot more to get off their chests than they have let on.
Joanna is joined in the cast by musical theatre star Rosalie Craig, Friday Night Dinner’s Tamsin Greig, Sherwood’s Lorraine Ashbourne and The Jetty’s Amelia Bullmore.
The six episodes, broadcasting on BBC One and iPlayer next year, will also feature Anne Reid, Sue Johnston, Claire Skinner, Peter Davison and Angel Coulby.
SUMMAT NUDE FOR WEDDING
RACY reality show Dating Naked could see a wedding.
The Paramount+ dating programme features lonely hearts stripping off in their quests for love.
But it seems the, er, unusual format works, as host Rylan reckons show success story Billy and Lauren could wed. The pair, who found love through the show, are still together months after filming ended.
Rylan said of possible nuptials: “It wouldn’t surprise me – and I could be naked, be the Best Man! Billy and Lauren are so head over heels, to have a success like that is very rare. No one can predict the future – but we did our job.”
Billy revealed: “I did say on the show that I was in love, then we got on the aeroplane home and she decided to tell me she loves me too.”
Lauren added: “Strip it all back, love blossoms.”
VITO'S FAR CRY FROM STRICTLY
IT’S been emotional for Vito Coppola on Celebrity MasterChef, as he contests the final tonight.
The Strictly Come Dancing pro has admitted taking part in the BBC One show reduced him to tears of joy after impressing the judges.
He said: “It’s been challenging since the very beginning.
“I was most under pressure in the semi final. Even the judges were concerned about my choice to make an entire cake but when John Torode cut the first piece and it didn’t fall apart, it was like getting a ten from the Strictly judges. I had tears of happiness in my eyes.”
In tonight’s final, Italian Vito faces This Morning’s Craig Doyle and Line Of Duty star Rochenda Sandall.