Platform:<\/strong> BBC Two and iPlayer\u00a0<\/p>\n Launch date:<\/strong> Monday 5 April 2026<\/p>\n Last updated:<\/strong> Tuesday 31 March 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pilgrimage returns for 2026 with a new group of contestants embarking on the popular reality series, this time on a journey to Holy Island (Lindisfarne).<\/p>\n The show sees seven well-known personalities of different faiths and beliefs set off on a spectacular trail across the beautiful landscapes of North East England.<\/p>\n The participants travel on foot and by bus, carrying their own backpacks and staying in a variety of basic accommodations as they explore the lives of early Celtic Christian saints.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a guide to the pilgrims taking part this season.<\/p>\n Ashley Banjo.<\/p>\n Age:<\/strong> 37<\/p>\n Job:<\/strong> Leader of the dance troupe Diversity<\/p>\n Instagram:<\/strong> @ashleybanjo<\/a><\/p>\n Ashley Banjo is a practising Christian and the leader of the dance troupe Diversity. He said of why he’s taking part: \u201cAs a Christian I wanted to do this pilgrimage, to continue my journey of discovery through discussion, by asking questions, and to be asked questions in the context of faith. But I’m also taking part to have a really good hike!<\/p>\n \u201cSo the pilgrimage to me not only represents the chance to explore my faith and meet some new people in the context of it, but to unplug and go on the walk of a lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n Hermione Norris.<\/p>\n Age:<\/strong> 58<\/p>\n Job:<\/strong> Actor (Spooks, Cold Feet)<\/p>\n Instagram:<\/strong> @hermione_norris<\/a><\/p>\n Hermione Norris believes the divine can be found in all living things. Speaking about appearing on the show, she said: “Living a busy life, embarking on this pilgrimage allows me this rare opportunity to set aside time to walk, to question and to notice. For me, this is an uncommon gift.\u201d<\/p>\n Patsy Kensit.<\/p>\n Age: <\/strong>57<\/p>\n Job:<\/strong> Actor<\/p>\n Instagram:<\/strong> @patsykensit<\/a><\/p>\n Patsy Kensit describes herself as a self-proclaimed \u201ca la carte\u201d Catholic. She said: \u201cI\u2019m joining Pilgrimage at a time when I feel the need to slow down and really listen, to myself, to others and to something beyond the noise of everyday life. I\u2019ve spent much of my life moving forward but this feels like a rare chance to pause and reflect.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure what I\u2019ll find along the way but I hope the journey will help me reconnect with what matters most and give me a deeper sense of perspective, gratitude and understanding – both of myself and the world around me.\u201d<\/p>\n Tasha Ghouri.<\/p>\n Age: <\/strong>27<\/p>\n Job:<\/strong> TV personality<\/p>\n Instagram:<\/strong> @tashaghouri<\/a><\/p>\n Tasha Ghouri is an atheist. Speaking about why she wants to take part in Pilgrimage, Ghouri said: \u201cAlthough I\u2019m not religious, I want to take part in Pilgrimage because I\u2019m genuinely curious and eager to step into something unfamiliar with an open heart and an open mind. I\u2019m looking forward to learning alongside the other pilgrims, each of us coming from completely different backgrounds and beliefs.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, this is about growth, reflection, and understanding faith from the inside out, not through assumptions or what other people say. I also want to explore what spirituality might mean beyond religion, and to do that with others who are also open to questioning and evolving.\u201d<\/p>\n Jayne Middlemiss.<\/p>\n Age: <\/strong>56<\/p>\n Job:<\/strong> Radio presenter<\/p>\n Instagram:<\/strong> @jaynemiddlemiss<\/a><\/p>\n Jayne Middlemiss describes herself as spiritual. She said of the new experience: \u201cI have travelled across the world taking pilgrimage in far flung places and have always wanted to return home and do the pilgrimage of my homeland. To go back and walk in the steps of ancestors and to connect to not only my past but the past of my family. It was an opportunity I wanted to very much embrace.\u201d<\/p>\n Ashley Blaker.<\/p>\n Age:<\/strong> 51<\/p>\n Job:<\/strong> Comedian<\/p>\n Instagram:<\/strong> @theashleyblaker<\/a><\/p>\n Ashley Blaker was previously ultra-Orthodox but is now a non-practising Jew. He said of joining the show: \u201cI’ve been on quite the journey with my faith over the past few years, so I\u2019m looking forward to having time to reflect and work out where I am now. I\u2019m excited to see who I\u2019ll be walking with and to hear their stories. I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll all learn a lot from each other.\u201d<\/p>\n Hasan Al-Habib.<\/p>\n Age:<\/strong> 31<\/p>\n Job:<\/strong> Stand-up comedian<\/p>\n Instagram:<\/strong> @amusingarab<\/a><\/p>\n Hasan Al-Habib is an observant Muslim. Speaking of joining Pilgrimage, he said: \u201cFor a practising Muslim like me, this show is an incredible opportunity. If, on the Day of Judgement, Allah asks me why I didn’t perform the mandatory Islamic Pilgrimage of Hajj, I can now say, \u2018Sorry, I didn’t realise BBC Two’s Pilgrimage series 8 was set in Northumberland.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Check out more of our Entertainment<\/a> coverage or visit our TV Guide<\/a> and Streaming Guide<\/a> to find out what’s on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nPilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island line-up<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Ashley Banjo<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Ashley](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/ashley-banjo-30e9a51.jpg?quality=90&fit=700,479\" "\\"Ashley")
<\/div>\nHermione Norris<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Hermione](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/hermione-norris-3b1b372.jpg?quality=90&fit=692,474\" "\\"Hermione")
<\/div>\nPatsy Kensit<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Patsy](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/patsy-kensit-1b48e2a.jpg?quality=90&fit=700,480\" "\\"Patsy")
<\/div>\nTasha Ghouri<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Tasha](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/tasha-ghouri-c38fa3f.jpg?quality=90&fit=700,479\" "\\"Tasha")
<\/div>\nJayne Middlemiss<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Jayne](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/jayne-middlemiss-9f30f68.jpg?quality=90&fit=700,479\" "\\"Jayne")
<\/div>\nAshley Blaker<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Ashley](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/ashley-blaker-7dfb835.jpg?quality=90&fit=691,474\" "\\"Ashley")
<\/div>\nHasan Al-Habib<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Hasan](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/hassan-al-habib-e88abfd.jpg?quality=90&fit=700,480\" "\\"Hasan")
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