The cast of Pilgrimage season 9 has been confirmed – and it includes EastEnders actress Nina Wadia.
The upcoming season of the BBC series, which sees seven well-known personalities with differing faiths and beliefs traversing an ancient pilgrim route, is coming to BBC Two and iPlayer next year.
The location of the trail is being kept under wraps for now, with the BBC teasing that more details will be revealed nearer transmission.
Among the celebrities confirmed to be taking part in Pilgrimage season 9 alongside Wadia, who is a practising Zoroastrian, are broadcaster and author Janet Ellis, who identifies as a Humanist, TV personality Ferne McCann, who is a Christian, and content creator and comedian Shabaz Ali, who is a practising Muslim.
Also joining the cast for season 9 are YouTuber Jay Foreman, who was brought up in the Jewish faith, comedian and former politician Mhairi Black, who was raised Catholic, and comedian and artist Leigh Francis, who doesn’t identify with any particular faith.
On taking part in the series, Ellis said: “I’d like to step outside of my busy life and have time to bring myself into focus. I want to explore the whole of the pilgrim path rather than keep my world comfortably small."
McCann added: “I’m doing the pilgrimage because I believe this is God's plan for me and I want to deepen my faith as a Christian."
Black said: “I’m really excited to explore places I’ve never been, with people I’ve never met. Not so excited about finding out whether I am as fit as I claim to be.”
Ali added: “To get a better understanding of my own faith through other peoples’ journeys - either through their faith or lack of it."
Wadia said: “Pilgrimage came for me and I take that as a sign to see and experience things I wouldn’t normally do. This is so needed for my soul right now."
Foreman: “How better to have these conversations done with a bunch of complete strangers in the beautiful countryside?"
Francis commented: “Since I turned 50 I started saying yes to more things. Three years in, I’m still not sure about the things I’m saying yes to. But it’s an adventure and that’s what life’s about! I’m wandering somewhere outdoors, the sun is out and so are my ginger knees. Looking forward to it!”
Daisy Scalchi, BBC’s head of religion and ethics for television, praised “this year’s brilliant cast, and the stunning locations they’re walking through”, adding that they “guarantee to deliver another wonderful series for Spring 2027.”
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Season 8 aired back in April, taking the cast on a journey to Holy Island (Lindisfarne).
Among those taking part were dancer Ashley Banjo, actor Hermione Norris, actor and singer Patsy Kensit and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri.
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