Anton and Giovanni's Adventures In Sicily on BBC1 sees Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton du Beke and Giovanni Pernice turning their backs on ballroom for a while to explore the sun-kissed island of Sicily.
In their brand new travel series Strictly pro Giovanni takes his friend and now Strictly judge Anton around his native island, checking out everything from the famous volcano of Mount Etna to tiny old towns off the beaten track. The lucky pair will also sample Sicily’s delicious cuisine and indulge in the odd tango or two.
“To say this has been a dream project is an understatement! Taking Anton to my much-loved home of Sicily was simply Bellissima! We danced, we laughed, and had the time of our lives - with great culture, food and company. I cannot wait for viewers in the UK to come on this journey with us,’ says Giovanni.
"When I first heard about this trip it was pretty irresistible,” adds Anton du Beke. “What's not to love? It's all my favourite things, great food, great country and spending time in the sunshine with Giovanni. Marvellous."
Here’s everything you need to know about Anton and Giovanni's Adventures In Sicily on BBC1…
Anton and Giovanni's Adventures In Sicily release date
Anton and Giovanni's Adventures In Sicily is a three-part series will air on BBC1 from Tuesday March 21 at 9pm, running at the same time on subsequent Tuesdays. It will also appear as a box set from that date on BBCiPlayer. We'll update with any US or international release date if we hear.
Is there a trailer for Anton and Giovanni's Adventures In Sicily?
Yes the BBC has now released a trailer for Anton and Giovanni's Adventures In Sicily which show the laughs and fun the friends are having in the series. Take a look below...
What happens in Anton and Giovanni's Adventures in Sicily — locations, sights and episode guide
Prepare for sun, sea and plenty of surprises as Anton du Beke and Giovanni Pernice head to Sicily to see the best of the Mediterranean island. On their road trip they will take in the sights, enjoy the food and share lots of laughs along the way. We've loved watching Sicily as the setting for White Lotus season 2, and can't wait to find out more.
The pair will be exploring Syracuse, Catania, Mount Etna, Taormina and Gino's home city of Palermo where Gio will introduce his family to Anton. Along the way the pair will be joined in episode 2 by Giovanni's Strictly-winning partner and former EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Episode 1
The pair take part in a taxi race through the streets of Sciacca, try their hands at octopus fishing, and even carry an enormous statue of the Madonna on their shoulders - and if you’ve ever wanted to hear Anton perform the rap from Wannabe by the Spice Girls, your time has finally come. Giovanni drives their car into a ditch at one point and in the coastal town of Catania we see where Giovanni first left home for to peruse his dancing dream...
Episode 2
The second leg of their Sicilian holiday sees Strictly stars Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice heading to Taormina, a tourist town that Giovanni refers to as ‘the St Tropez of Sicily’ - and while the pair are enjoying a spot of traditional Sicilian music, they’re spotted by some Strictly fans who want to stop and chat! After attempting paddleboarding with little success, they head to Mount Etna, where Giovanni has arranged for them to go trekking with alpacas - but they struggle to make friends with their temperamental new travelling companions.
"I wouldn’t recommend trekking with alpacas,’ says Anton. ‘They’re very grumpy - we called ours Shirley and Craig!’
As they continue their journey up the active volcano, it’s Anton’s turn to spring a surprise on Giovanni. A helicopter appears on the horizon and comes in to land - and out steps Giovanni’s Strictly-winning partner from 2021, former EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis!
Rose then joins the boys on their adventures, as they take a helicopter around the volcano, enjoy some traditional Sicilian spa treatments, and embark on a high speed zipwire ride which leaves Giovanni trembling with terror…
"When you’re on Strictly, you form a very unique relationship with your partner that endures,’ says Anton. ‘So when Rose turned up, it was wonderful. She’s so funny, she’s got a really dry sense of humour, so I knew she’d tease him and he’d tease her, and I could laugh and enjoy it - sometimes we’d double up and both tease him!"
Episode 3
Anton and Giovanni reach the end of their Sicilian journey this week as they head for their final destination: the coastal city of Palermo, where Giovanni grew up. Along the way, the duo have a go at making pasta, spend the night in a monastery, stop for a round of golf, and Giovanni introduces Anton to his favourite Sicilian street foods…
"It was interesting to see Anton trying the food," says Giovanni. "I was so excited to show Anton what the stigghiola [grilled guts of lambs and calves] would be like, because it’s one of my favourite things - and he hated it! I was laughing so hard, I couldn’t finish mine!"
After Giovanni takes Anton to his childhood home to meet his family, their adventure concludes with a big party to celebrate Giovanni’s 32nd birthday. Giovanni’s former Strictly dance partner Rose Ayling-Ellis rejoins the pair, and Anton’s wife, Hannah, arrives with their children, George and Henrietta, as a surprise.
"That was one of the loveliest moments for me," says Anton. "Giovanni’s family and my family coming together at the party was a highlight of my life!"
Introducing Anton to my family was the cherry on the cake of the whole trip," agrees Giovanni. ‘My dad is the biggest fan of Anton Du Beke! Seeing a friend I admire and my dad getting together was absolutely beautiful. I’m quite an emotional person, and I shed tears of joy!"
Interviews: Anton and Giovanni reveal their experiences in Sicily
How did this show come about?
Anton says: "We were both on Strictly Come Dancing and then we started doing a theatre show on tour together. So it’s about the relationship between us."
Giovanni reveals: "Anton has always been the person to look up to for me. He looked after me when I first arrived in this country, and this was my time to say, ‘I’ll do it for you’!"
How was your time in Sicily?
Anton says: "Wonderful! I’ve been to Italy many times, but never to Sicily. The food’s amazing, the people are lovely, and the heat is extraordinary - we were filming in July and August!
Giovanni says: "It was one of those moments in my life when I felt so proud of myself, and so happy. It’s nice to be back and see friends I haven’t seen for 15 years – because I live in a different country, they don’t always know what’s happening with me!
What adventures did the two of you get up to?
Anton says: "Paddleboarding was a low. There’s an expression that people say about balance, ‘you’re a dancer, you’ll be fine’ - that doesn’t apply to paddleboarding."
Giovanni says: "When I see Anton out of his comfort zone, it makes me laugh. There’s a scene where we’re at the barber, and he’s having a face treatment - and I shaved his chest!"
Were there any mishaps along the way?
Anton reveals: "We had a lovely car, and Giovanni said to me, ‘don’t drive too fast’ - suffice to say we got pulled over by the police!"
Giovanni says: "With this kind of car, you’re very noticed, so people are looking at you straight away - and they stop you because they want to know who you are."
Which of you is the better traveller?
Anton says: "You travel very light."
Giovanni replies: "You travel very heavy! How many suits did you bring?"
Anton retorts: "One or two."
Giovanni laughs: "Exactly, 50 suits for three days. And the problem is, he makes everyone else carry it for him!"
More about Anton du Beke
Ballroom dancer Anton du Beke was one of the professionals on Strictly Come Dancing from its very first show before becoming a judge on the show. He partnered celebrities such as Patsy Palmer, Judy Murray and Kate Garroway. Anton was also a team captain and later the host of the programme Hole in the Wall. He’s also presented Step Up to the Plate, This Morning and had a cameo on the soap Doctors.
More about Giovanni Pernice
Giovanni has been a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing since 2015 and has partnered Georgia May Foote and Laura Whitmore amongst others. Last year he won the show with Rose Ayling-Ellis. He’s also appeared on Pointless Celebrities, Lorraine, Children and Need, Comedy Game Night and This Morning.
