A new 4 part series called A Celebrity Taste of Italy starts on Channel 5 on Friday 29th at 21.00. Sounds a bit like a celebrity version of BBC's Second Chance Summer: Tuscany.
The latest offshoot of The Real Exotic Marigold Hotel genre packs five senior celebs off to Tuscany to learn how to cook. They’re “characters”, of course: Rula Lenska flirts constantly and Johnny Ball confesses he can’t even boil cornflakes, while Green Goddess Diana Moran brings an astonishing number of visors in different colours.
They do a lot less grumbling than the Marigold lot, though, stumbling their way good-naturedly through shopping trips, cooking lessons and exercise classes without a cross word or hint of irritation. Maybe that will come. Although when you’re eating luscious food in a luxurious villa surrounded by glorious Italian scenery, why complain?
Summary
Actors Ian Lavender and Rula Lenska, travel reporter Judith Chalmers, TV mathmatician Johnny Ball and fitness guru Diana Moran learn about the culture and cuisine of Tuscany. After settling into their shared villa, the celebs help prepare a classic Italian lunch featuring chicken liver pate, bread, cheese and fresh vegetables. While Rula, Ian and Judith enjoy the sights of the medieval town of Corton, Johnny and Diana procure items for their next meal. Later, Judith, Johnny and Rula fish for carp and tench on Lake Trasimeno, allowing Rula the chance to flirt with a local fisherman.
