Five more celebrities find that holidaying on a narrow boat isn’t all plain sailing in a new series of Channel 5’s Celebrity 5 Go Barging
Packing their suitcases for a holiday with a difference, Amanda Barrie, Anita Harris, Michael Buerk, Shaun Williamson and John Prescott (all pictured above) embark on a special jaunt that sees them learning the ropes about canal life in a new series of Channel 5’s Celebrity 5 Go Barging.
As the famous five set off on two traditional narrow boats, Esme and Mollie, on Caldon Canal in Staffordshire, it’s not that long before the bargepoles are needed for a bit of a rescue situation.
Fortunately, a quick stop off at the pub puts the wind back in everyone’s sails.
This is a shipshape adventure, filled with interesting historical titbits and lashings of good old-fashioned fun… for both the celebrity crew on the canal and all the landlubbers who are watching at home.
Here, in an exclusive interview, Coronation Street legend Amanda, 83, and iconic performer Anita, 77, give us the steer on their trip…
What attracted you to Celebrity 5 Go Barging?
Amanda: I like doing reality shows, but when this one came about, I wasn’t sure it would be my cup of tea.
It’s outdoors and I’ve never been on a narrow boat before.
But then I heard who else was doing it.
It sounds luvvie but I’ve known Anita for a long time and knew I couldn’t have been with a better person.
We were like a little family.
There were so many laughs.
Anita: I was so lucky with this group of people – gentlemanly Michael, Shaun and his encyclopaedic mind, John with his passion for colliers and canals, and my darling Amanda!
I wondered if I’d find that tranquillity and lovely feeling of having nothing to worry about except handling our narrow boat.
Were there any mishaps?
Amanda: I did a grand gesture and my watch went flying into the canal!
We were better than the boys at managing our barge but they made me laugh.
Anita: Let’s just say the boys got stuck!
Amanda and I had to rescue them.
I nearly fell in once – I was standing on the deck and stepped back, but there was nothing there!
TV Times rating: ****
