Journey of faith

A group of celebrities embark on an epic pilgrimage from Belgrade to Istanbul

- ELAINE REILLY, HANNAH DAVIES

NEW FACTUAL

Pilgrimage: The Road to Istanbul Fri, BBC2 HD, 9pm (times vary)

The advice to never discuss religion goes out the window this week when BBC2’s Pilgrimage returns with a new batch of celebrities, from devout believers to atheists.

Presenter Adrian Chiles joins Olympic medallist Fatima Whitbread, ex-politician Edwina Currie, comedian Dom Joly, Father Ted’s Pauline McLynn and presenters Mim Shaikh and Amar Latif for a two-week trek walking over 1,000km of the Sultan’s Trail – the pilgrims start in Belgrade in Serbia and finish in Istanbul.

We asked Chiles, who turns 53 on 21 March, to tell us more…

Why did you want to take part?