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The Real Marigold Hotel

Series 1

Episode 1

Duration: 59 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: on BBC Two Wales HD

A group of celebrities travel to India to see whether they can have a more rewarding retirement there than in the UK.

The group arrive at their new home in Jaipur and are initially unsettled by the realities of living in India: hectic roads, animals in the street, chickens killed to order and poor toilet facilities. The heat and hard work makes them consider whether they can do this alone or need to take advantage of the cheap staff costs to settle here.

Miriam is constantly full of great one-liners and fun observations that colour everything with humour. Jaipur is full of hundreds of years of history, best seen in its impressive buildings, so the group head out to visit the jewel in Jaipur's crown, the 500-year-old Amer Fort. Their guide also offers to show them his local home, where they begin to understand the gulf between rich and poor and the impact of the caste system. They are also invited to take tea with Jaipur's royal family at the opulent Rambagh Palace, mixing with high society in the finest surroundings.

Wayne makes the most of his wish to explore his spiritual side by attending the daily morning prayers and visiting the beautiful Galti Ji temple, which is home to a troop of monkeys. Rosemary, finding it hard to unwind from her normal hectic life, tries meditation for the first time and is surprised by the results.

To end their first week, they throw a party with performances to meet their new neighbours as they start to feel more at home on the other side of the world. Show less

Contributors

Participant:
Miriam Margolyes
Participant:
Sylvester McCoy
Participant:
Wayne Sleep
Participant:
Roy Walker
Participant:
Rosemary Shrager
Participant:
Bobby George
Participant:
Patti Boulaye
Participant:
Jan Leeming
Series Editor:
David Vallance
Director:
Tom Currie
Executive Producer:
David Clews
Executive Producer:
Andrew Mackenzie-Betty
Production Company:
Twofour Broadcast

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