On the right track for some meaningful conversation

COMEDIAN JOE WILKINSON DISCUSSES HIS NEW INTERVIEW SERIES FOR CHANNEL 4, AND WHY IT WAS A JOY TO CREATE. BY YOLANTHE FAWEHINMI

- BY YOLANTHE FAWEHINMI

WHEN comedian Joe Wilkinson is on a train, he cannot resist eavesdropping on people's private conversations.

He always has the intention to get things done, but because he is, by his own admission, nosy, he always ends up paying attention to his fellow passengers instead.

Joe, 51, who found new fans when he appeared on The Celebrity Traitors and struck up a friendship with rugby star Joe Marler, has now created a five-part Channel 4 interview series, Training It with Joe Wilkinson, rooted in his genuine affection for train travel and his fascination with what happens behind the scenes.

In each episode, Joe accompanies various celebrities - including multi Bafta-nominated actor Michael Sheen, three-time Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Adam Ramsay-Peaty, comedian and Ted Lasso and The Celebrity Traitors star Nick Mohammed, and Rhian Teasdale from Grammy and Brit Award-winning rock band Wet Leg - who are en route to their next destination by train and have insightful conversations about their lives and careers.

Ahead of the streaming release, After Life star Joe discusses his intentions behind the show, his favourite train journey, and why trains are a great place to have meaningful conversations.

What inspired the concept for your new show?

We really wanted to make the journeys real because I think there are a lot of interview-type shows, but I liked the idea of actually going on a real journey with someone, because it's a new angle.