The Real Marigold Hotel is returning to BBC One tonight, with eight new stars heading to India to try out their retirement.
Season four of the series, which kicked off in 2016, has a cast that includes actors, entrepreneurs and a former Bond Girl.
The series, based on the 2011 film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, offers Brits the chance to test out a potentially more rewarding retirement in India.
Let’s take a look at the stars heading to India this year…
Susie Blake
Actress Susie Blake, a veteran of the stage, screen and radio, is perhaps best known for playing Bev Unwin in Coronation Street and Hillary Nicholson on Mrs Brown’s Boys.
Blake raved about her experience on the show to the BBC.
“We were very busy but I was struck by how vast and foreign it all seemed,” she said. “I was frustrated that I couldn’t communicate with the locals.”
She said she was surprised to learn how “tongue-tied” she could be. “Too in awe to start in depth conversations,” she said.
Henry Blofield
Henry Blofield is a cricket commentator and broadcaster, best known for Test Match Special on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.
Blofield said the most memorable part of the experience was the gathering of eight “fascinating” characters.
“Each one had led a most distinguished career in their own fields and they now brought together all their different experiences in a most interesting and entertaining mix,” he told the BBC.
“I was delighted to have all my impressions of the charm, gentleness and friendliness of the Indian people confirmed. They are a real delight, nothing is too much trouble and, language barrier permitting, they fell over backwards to be obliging and helpful.”
Dame Zandra Rhodes
Fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes has designed clothes for stars such as Princess Diana and Freddie Mercury throughout her illustrious career.
Of the experience, Rhodes told the BBC: “I was able to do drawings each day before the day started which was revitalising for me”.
She was also able to take a walk down memory lane: “visiting my wonderful old embroidery studios where all of my beaded dress were made in Chennai was something very special,” she said.
Duncan Bannatyne
Scottish entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne is best known for his role on the BBC show Dragon’s Den.
He counted the overnight festival as his favourite part of the trip.
“Being amongst the huge crowds of people early in the morning,” he told the BBC. “Watching the old, the young and the poor enjoying themselves and being soaked from the water throwing, in what was the middle of the night.”
Britt Ekland
Swedish actress and singer Britt Ekland had a legendary screen career in the 20th century, notably starring alongside Roger Moore as a Bond Girl in The Man With the Golden Gun.
Ekland told the BBC that the “camaraderie” of the trip was her favourite part.
“I felt we were a great mixture and team of people, and I’ve made several new friends,” she said.
“In particular though, reuniting with Zandra Rhodes - who I’ve known since the late 1960s - was very special.”
John Altman
Actor John Altman is best known for playing Nick Cotton in EastEnders.
Altman said the experience taught him to “slow down”.
“To give myself some chilling out time,” he told the BBC. “I’m a busy, busy person. When we got there I looked back at myself in England and realised I like to keep busy but I do need to give myself some relaxing time.”
Barbara Dickson
Barbara Dickson is a Scottish singer, known for her hits I Know Him So Well and Answer Me, as well as an Olivier-award winning actress.
She described India to the BBC as an “ancient and magical place,” and she said she learnt on the trip that she is a “pacifier”.
“I always want people to get on with each other, and I also notice the staff around us, as I want them to have a positive view of us.”
Paul Chuckle
Paul Chuckle in The Real Marigold Hotel S4 (BBC/Two Four)
Comedian and actor Paul Chuckle is best known for being one half of the legendary comic duo The Chuckle Brothers.
Chuckle raved about his time spent with the other stars on the show.
“The most memorable part of the experience to me was sharing it with such great guys and living amongst such lovely people,” he told the BBC.
The Real Marigold Hotel’s fourth season airs on BBC One at 9pm on Thursdays.
