In the first episode the group arrives at their new home in Jaipur - a private mansion known as a haveli in the heart of the old city - and are initially unsettled by the realities of living in India: hectic roads, animals in the street, chickens killed to order and poor toilet facilities. The heat and hard work makes them consider whether they can do this alone or need to take advantage of the cheap staff costs to settle here. Jaipur is full of hundreds of years of history, best seen in its impressive buildings, so the group head out to visit the jewel in Jaipur’s crown, the 500 year old Amer Fort. Their guide also offers to show them his local home where they begin to understand the gulf between rich and poor and the impact of the caste system. They are also invited to take tea with Jaipur’s royal family at the opulent Rambagh Palace, where they mix with high society in the finest surroundings. Chef Rosemary is finding it hard to unwind from her normal hectic life, so tries meditation for the first time and is surprised by the results. Meanwhile, dancer Wayne makes the most of his wish to explore his spiritual side by attending the daily morning prayers and visiting the beautiful Galti Ji temple, which is home to a troop of mischievous monkeys. To end their first week the cast throw a party to meet their new neighbours, with special performances, as they begin to feel more at home on the other side of the world.
The group is in colourful Jaipur, capital of the state of Rajasthan in Northern India, to test whether they can set up a better, more rewarding retirement here than four thousand miles from their home in the UK.
The group is in colourful Jaipur, capital of the state of Rajasthan in Northern India, to test whether they can set up a better, more rewarding retirement here than four thousand miles from their home in the UK.
Eight celebrities embark on an experimental adventure to India, to test whether they can set up a more rewarding retirement than in the UK. Entertainer Lionel Blair, wildlife presenter Bill Oddie, actress Amanda Barrie, snooker champion Dennis Taylor, TV personality Rustie Lee, TV doctor Miriam Stoppard, Three Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson and Just Good Friends actor Paul Nicholas arrive at their new home, a 16th-century mansion in Old Kochi. Sheila is keen to make sure she gets what she wants out of the experience, but Lionel finds dealing with the realities of living in India unsettling - the animals in the street, the more basic way of life and the piles of rubbish that can distract from the beauty. Paul, Bill and Dennis rise to the challenge with humour and classic one-liners, and Rustie and Miriam seem charmed by their first days here. The group then head off to visit the world-famous backwaters, hundreds of miles of waterways that criss-cross through the villages and jungles, on traditional houseboats.
The celebrities continue to settle into life in their 16th-century mansion, and are brought closer together when they celebrate Amanda Barrie's 81st birthday together. Lionel Blair - who has struggled with a distended belly since having treatment for cancer - tries out a local alternative medicine in the hope of finding a solution to the problem. Bill Oddie goes in search of wildlife with a trip into the jungle, and opens up about how spending time in nature has helped him overcome mental-health issues.
Amanda and Rustie meet a bride-to-be who invites the whole group to her Hindu wedding, so they head out to buy traditional clothing, with hilarious consequences. Miriam and Lionel discover Old Kochi has a surprising connection to their Jewish heritage, and a visit to the synagogue makes Miriam reflect on the impact her choice to marry outside of the Jewish faith had on her family. Later, Bill takes half the group along to one of the biggest festivals in Kerala, Puli Kali, which celebrates the tiger.
Half of the group head off to the hill stations of the Nilgiri mountains, but the drive involves a treacherous climb that has them on the edge of their seats. Dennis and Paul complete the journey by steam train, passing a station full of monkeys before arriving in Ooty, a town that allows Dennis to fulfil a lifelong dream, as he gets to play a game on the very first snooker table. Sheila, Amanda and Lionel attend a Hindu ancestor ceremony held to remember departed loved ones and reflect on death itself and the fact that they have lost many famous friends over the last year. Last in the series.
Nine celebrities embark on an experimental adventure to Udaipur in India, to test whether they can set up a more rewarding retirement than in the UK. Selina Scott, Susan George, Stephanie Beacham, Syd Little, Peter Dean, Bob Champion, Stanley Johnson and the Krankies are the volunteers. However, while veteran of India Stanley throws himself into the experiment with aplomb, Selina is unsure about the group living arrangements and first-time curry eater Bob struggles with the diet.
Selina Scott, Susan George, Stephanie Beacham, Ian and Janette Tough, Syd Little, Peter Dean, Bob Champion and Stanley Johnson embrace life in Udaipur in India. They receive a grand invitation from the Maharanah and are invited to mingle with Udaipur's high society at the City Palace, ending the week with a trip to the northern state of the Punjab to visit one of India's most spectacular and holiest cities and the magnificent Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Bob, Susan and Selina want to see more of rural Rajasthan and head into the hills to go horse-riding and camping. Meanwhile, Stanley the adventurer re-lives his youth on the back of a motorcycle, and Stephanie explores her inner self her through mediation. Later, a sleeper train takes the group to Navratri, one of India's biggest annual festivals. After attempting to learn a Gujarati folk dance, they get kitted out in traditional costumes and join thousands of worshippers for a night of celebrations for the powerful Hindu Warrior Goddess Durga.
After a month of testing the waters to see whether they could live a life of retirement in India, the group enjoy their final week at the Udaipur Haveli. Susan, Syd and the Krankies go on one last adventure as they head off to the pilgrimage town of Pushkar, and Bob delves into the world of natural medicine, and his first Ayurvedic treatment comes as rather a surprise. Elsewhere, Stanley organizes a final cricket match between the senior citizens and their new local friends, before the group reflect on friendships formed, and lessons learnt, at the end of a wonderful month spent in Rajasthan. Last in the series.
Eight celebrities embark on an experimental adventure to India, to see whether they can set up a more rewarding life than in the UK. Enterpreneur Duncan Bannatyne, designer Zandra Rhodes, comedian Paul `Chuckle' Elliott, cricket legend Henry Blofeld, former EastEnder John Altman, actresses Britt Ekland and Susie Blake and singer Barbara Dickson arrive at their new home by the sea in Puducherry, and while Britt struggles with the heat and Paul misses his missus, Susie, Barbara and Zandra bond over a bit of traditional Indian cooking.
The group begin their second week, having settled into their new home on the coast of Puducherry. Henry Blofeld is keen to find a cure for an old injury, so he and Paul Chuckle visit a local hospital where western medicine is combined with yoga. Paul also braves the chaotic roads as he throws himself headlong into his first Indian driving lesson, while Britt Ekland and Zandra Rhodes explore the more spiritual side of their temporary home. Later in the week, some of the group catch the sleeper train to Madurai, where they enjoy the wild celebrations of the famous Chithirai festival.
Susie celebrates her birthday with the group, while Henry gets a chance to revisit the cricket ground where he made his last overseas broadcast.
Saying goodbye to Puducherry, the celebs journey north to the foothills of the Himalayas for their final week in India. Following a treacherous drive up narrow, winding roads, they arrive at their new home on the outskirts of Rishikesh, ready to experience the spiritual side of life in Northern India. After starting the next day with an outdoor group meditation session among the wild monkeys and spectacular views, Duncan and John waste no time exploring the bustling town of Rishikesh, which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.
