For a new BBC Two series...

Stephen K Amos, Katy Brand and Les Dennis are to take part in a 1,000km pilgrimage to the Vatican for a new BBC series.

Pilgrimage: The Road to Rome follows a similar BBC Two series earlier this year when celebs including Ed Byrne and  Debbie McGee followed a pilgrims’ route across Northern Spain to Santiago. 

In the new three hour-long episodes, the modern-day pligrims will do away with all luxuries as they complete the  Via Francigena..

The route actually starts in Canterbury, but the celebrities who are taking part in this quest  will undertake the last stages.

Roughly 1,200 pilgrims a year take the route, much fewer than  the Santiago one, because of a lack of infrastructure and accommodation.

Also taking part are Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford, actress Lesley Joseph, dancer Brendan Cole, TV presenter Mehreen Baig and Eurovision Song Contest winner and politician Dana.

The group mixes those who have faith, such as Muslim Baig and Catholic Dana, with atheists. 

Brand has previously spoken of her vehemence for Christianity in her youth, which she has subsequently lost.

Pilgrimage: The Road To Rome is made by CTVC for BBC2, with Caroline Matthews and Colm Martin serving as executive producers. It was commissioned by Holland and McDonald, with commissioning editor Fatima Salaria.

Published: 25 Oct 2018