Our INDIA adventure

ROB RINDER and RYLAN CLARK on their latest journey of discovery

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After exploring the cultural treasures of Venice, Florence and Rome in their BAFTA-winning Grand Tour of Italy last year, Rob Rinder and Rylan Clark jumped at the chance of embarking on another odyssey for BBC2. Starting this week, the chalk-and-cheese pair's new three-part journey, Rob and Rylan's Passage to India, is inspired by EM Forster's 1924 novel and begins in Delhi, where the bustling capital's diverse and vibrant art scene soon leads them towards a whole world of different experiences.

TV Times caught up with barrister-turned-broadcaster Rob, 47, and BBC Radio 2 presenter Rylan, 36, to find out more...

Firstly, congratulations on Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour winning the Factual Entertainment trophy at this year's BAFTA TV Awards! Were you surprised that the show struck such a chord?

ROB We really were!

RYLAN When I saw the first cut of the series, I said, 'We're either going to get cancelled or win a BAFTA.' I could see the papers going, 'BBC stars on a jolly, getting drunk in a gay bar.' But that's not who we are. There was a story to it all; we were both a bit damaged, we knew each other but not that well, and all of a sudden we were in Florence experiencing these amazing things. Even now, it makes me emotional that people connected to it.

Aw. So, what made you decide to visit India for the sequel?