Jeff Brazier is not the easiest man to pin down for a chat. His life involves "lots of travel." A recent journey by the television presenter, who found fame in 2001 on the Channel 4 social experiment reality series Shipwrecked – set on a remote Fijian island – will be documented in the seventh series of the BBC’s Pilgrimage. The show follows celebrities of different backgrounds and beliefs on a long-distance walk. This time, the seven participants took on a revived medieval route of 300km (186.5 miles), covering around 15 miles a day over 12 days. Their journey began in a village near Innsbruck in Austria, passing through the Alps, and finishing at Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland.
The monastic Abbey has roots in the 9th century when Benedictine monk Saint Meinrad, memorialised by the route, established a hermitage in the nearby Einsiedeln forest. Brazier is joined by, among others, comedian Helen Lederer and Harry Clark, winner of The Traitors 2024. Pilgrimage holidays are increasingly popular. In 1994, fewer than 16,000 people walked the world’s best-known pilgrimage path – the Camino de Santiago, which finishes in northern Spain – 30 years on, more than 400,000 walk it annually.
While he’s no stranger to travel shows, having appeared in last year’s Celebrity Race Across the World with his youngest son Freddy, it was the chance to connect with other people that sold Pilgrimage to Brazier. His closest connection was with Clark. Missing his own sons, aged 20 and 21, Brazier says he took the 23-year-old "under his wing." At one stage, when there are not enough beds to go around the group, the two agree to share.
Brazier describes himself as spiritual, but he was keen to learn about the other walkers’ faiths. Clark is Catholic, Paralympian Stefanie Reid is Protestant, and journalist Nelufar Hedaya is Muslim, while Jay McGuiness, a singer from boy band The Wanted, describes himself as agnostic. On the Camino de Santiago, there has been a recent increase in the number of non-religious pilgrims walking the path as a journey of self-reflection. For Brazier, the places of worship he visited on the walk were ideal for practising his daily meditation. He also learned of past pilgrims who walked the trail barefoot and was inspired to follow their lead. "We walked some [barefoot] man-made trails, which allow you to get your feet in the soil," he says. Studies have suggested that "grounding"– getting close to the earth – can have a positive impact on wellbeing.
Between some dubious accommodation, including child-sized beds, and a barn near a horse – Brazier is allergic to horsehair – it was "walking shoulder-to-shoulder" with his companions that meant the most. He already recognised the benefits of group walks. He has hosted them for Prjct Wlks, an initiative that offers respite to people lacking community or struggling with their mental health, since 2020. "When you’re walking, you feel comfortable, and you can talk about the things that matter to you."
The pilgrims met many people en route, including monks, and one mischievous nun. "There were these big troughs where you could fill your water bottle. A nun came over with a smile on her face. She pointed at the water, so I lowered my head, and she splashed me, completely covered me head to toe in water – then walked off laughing." Brazier took all the show’s challenges in his stride. "We had to honour the pilgrims who went before us by doing it like them, and not like some spoiled people from the world of television," he says. "That’s when we grow. When we do things that challenge us."
The first episode of Pilgrimage: The Road Through the Alps will be on BBC Two and iPlayer on April 20, 2025, at 9pm, followed by two more episodes on April 21 and April 22, 2025, at 9pm.
Meanwhile, Clark, who is also the winner of The Traitors UK season 2, is participating in the same pilgrimage. The former lance corporal, who attended the Army Foundation College in Harrogate at the age of 16, faced a challenging period in his life when he left the forces and returned home. At 21, he struggled with mental health issues, feeling lost and experiencing suicidal thoughts. However, it was during this tumultuous time that he rediscovered his Christian faith as a Catholic.
Clark, now 24, expressed a desire to embark on the pilgrimage to confront his views on faith and share his journey with others. He believes that discussing faith openly is essential, especially among youth. "People think you can’t talk about religion – especially the youth – because there’s something wrong with it, or it seems like if you believe in one particular religion, you hate all others. But that’s not what it is. It doesn’t have to be that deep. Everyone makes it so serious. If you believe, you believe. If you don’t believe, you don’t have to, and it’s not the end of the world. So I just want people that watch it to see that authenticity in us. If you want to talk about faith, talk about it. If you don’t, then don’t, simple as that.”
Reflecting on his experiences, Clark emphasized the importance of living in the moment. "Life isn’t meant to be understood. It’s meant to be felt. No one’s got it perfect, and no one ever will. But working as hard as you can and being as happy as you can, a little bit of excellence will come along the way. Enjoy every second and be present. When you’ve been in the army, you see how quickly it can be taken away. And you honestly never know when your last day is. So wake up with a smile on your face because you’re still here, but always remember to hug someone a little bit tighter."
The pilgrimage promises to be not only a physical challenge but also a profound spiritual journey for all participants. As Brazier and Clark walk alongside their fellow pilgrims, they will confront their beliefs and share their experiences, creating a tapestry of faith, reflection, and personal growth.
As the premiere date approaches, viewers are eager to see how these celebrities navigate their spiritual journeys through the breathtaking landscapes of the Alps. With the combination of physical endurance and introspective exploration, Pilgrimage: The Road Through the Alps is set to captivate audiences and inspire conversations about faith and community.
