Clive Myrie, 58, will swap quiz shows and war zones for a journey across Italy in his new series, which begins next week. His Italian Road Trip may come as a surprise to viewers who have watched Clive tackle the most serious news stories during his three decades at the BBC.
Now, even the Mastermind host has admitted he was surprised when the BBC called him to offer him his new gig.
Sharing his bewilderment, Clive told Radio Times: “I said, ‘Eh?’ And they said, ‘Yeah, a travel series. Where do you want to go?’”
In the end, Clive thought, “Why not?” and took the opportunity to explore all the parts of Italy he had always dreamed of visiting.
“They’re willing to put up with your broken Italian – mine is terrible – and they’re very welcoming to people from the outside, particularly in the south.
“It’s a crossroads for all kinds of cultures from North Africa and so on, which means it’s a real melting pot of ideas and food and tastes and things that I just find very appealing.”
Clive first visited Italy as a student and has returned at various times throughout his career.
However, his 15-part series is the first chance he’s had to really explore the culture, including travels to Mount Etna, playing football in Florence and visiting the most Scottish town in the country.
Speaking about the programme before it airs, Clive commented: “I hope viewers enjoy this road trip as much as I have and fall in love with Italy – a place that captured my heart many years ago.
“This trip helped me discover places, communities and traditions I’d never come across before and the series is packed with beautiful locations, delicious food and the friendliest people.”
Clive Myrie’s Italian Road Trip starts May 1 at 6.30pm on BBC Two.
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