Writing home

Martin Clunes takes Mel Giedroyc on a novel adventure around Dorset

-  CAREN CLARK, ALISON SLADE

NEW FACTUAL

Mel Giedroyc & Martin Clunes Explore Britain by the Book Wednesday, 9 pm, ITV1

Dorset has captivated numerous writers over the centuries and now, Mel Giedroyc discovers the secrets behind the county’s rich literary heritage as she teams up with actor and Dorset resident Martin Clunes for a one-off special.

The pair visit locations featured in works by authors John Fowles, Ian McEwan and Raynor Winn, while also paying homage to Enid Blyton’s Famous Five with a steam-train ride, and taking a boat trip off Lulworth Cove, which featured in Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd.

Here, Giedroyc, 55, and Clunes, 61, tell us more…

What appealed to you about  this series?

Giedroyc The idea is that you get to know the place where somebody lives via books and it’s a nice way to also get to know that person. Martin lives in Dorset, so it was the dream starting point.

Clunes For me, it was the chance to get out and do something – I’ve been at home for a while! I just thought it would be fun.

Martin, you have lived in  Dorset for 20 years. Why