Pilgrimage 2026 line-up: Meet the 7 famous pilgrims in the cast

Pilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island at a glance

Platform: BBC Two and iPlayer

Launch date: Monday 5 April 2026

Last updated: Tuesday 31 March 2026

Pilgrimage is back for another season in 2026! A new group of celebrities will be taking on the challenge, and this time their journey will take them to the historic Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

The show follows seven famous people from various religious and philosophical backgrounds as they journey across the stunning scenery of North East England.

Travelers explore the lives of early Celtic Christian saints by hiking and taking buses, carrying their own gear and staying in simple lodging along the way.

Here’s a guide to the pilgrims taking part this season.

Pilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island line-up

Ashley Banjo
Hermione Norris
Patsy Kensit
Tasha Ghouri
Jayne Middlemiss
Ashley Blaker
Hasan Al-Habib

Ashley Banjo

Age: 37

Job: Leader of the dance troupe Diversity

Instagram: @ashleybanjo

Ashley Banjo, who leads the dance group Diversity and is a Christian, decided to participate in a pilgrimage. He explained he wanted to explore his faith further through conversations and questioning, both sharing his own beliefs and hearing others’. He also admitted he was looking forward to a good walk!

For me, going on this pilgrimage is more than just a spiritual journey and a chance to connect with others who share my beliefs. It’s also an opportunity to disconnect from daily life and experience something truly unforgettable.

Hermione Norris

Age: 58

Job: Actor (Spooks, Cold Feet)

Instagram: @hermione_norris

Hermione Norris sees a spiritual connection in all life. She explained that being on the show gave her a valuable chance to slow down, reflect, and truly observe the world around her, something she rarely gets in her busy life. She described this time for self-discovery as a rare and precious opportunity.

Patsy Kensit

Age: 57

Job: Actor

Instagram: @patsykensit

Patsy Kensit jokingly calls herself a “pick and choose” Catholic. She’s joining the Pilgrimage program because she feels a strong need to slow down, be more mindful, and connect with herself, the people around her, and something greater than daily life. After years of constantly being on the go, she sees this as a valuable opportunity to pause and think deeply about things.

I don’t know exactly what this journey will bring, but I’m hoping it will help me rediscover what’s truly important and gain a better understanding of myself and the world, filled with more gratitude and a fresh perspective.

Tasha Ghouri

Age: 27

Job: TV personality

Instagram: @tashaghouri

Tasha Ghouri doesn’t identify with any religion, but she’s joining Pilgrimage because she’s interested in exploring new experiences and different perspectives. She’s excited to learn from the other participants, who all have unique backgrounds and beliefs, and is approaching the journey with an open mind.

This journey is personally about growing, thinking deeply about my beliefs, and truly understanding faith from my own experience, rather than relying on what others tell me. I’m also interested in exploring spirituality outside of organized religion, and I want to do that alongside others who are willing to ask questions and change their perspectives.

Jayne Middlemiss

Age: 56

Job: Radio presenter

Instagram: @jaynemiddlemiss

Jayne Middlemiss considers herself a spiritual person. She recently embarked on a pilgrimage in her home country, something she’d always wanted to do after traveling and exploring sacred sites around the world. She wanted to connect with her ancestors and her family’s history by retracing their steps and embracing the experience.

Ashley Blaker

Age: 51

Job: Comedian

Instagram: @theashleyblaker

Ashley Blaker used to be very religious within the Orthodox Jewish community, but now he doesn’t actively practice the faith. He explained his reason for joining the show, saying he’s been questioning his beliefs recently and hopes the experience will give him time to think about where he stands now. He’s also looking forward to meeting the other participants, hearing their stories, and learning from them.

Hasan Al-Habib

Age: 31

Job: Stand-up comedian

Instagram: @amusingarab

As a lifelong movie and TV buff, I found Hasan Al-Habib’s comment about joining the BBC’s Pilgrimage series really relatable. He’s a devout Muslim, and he joked that if he’s ever asked on Judgement Day why he hadn’t completed the Hajj pilgrimage, he can honestly say he was waiting for season 8 of Pilgrimage to be filmed in Northumberland! It’s a funny way of putting it, but it shows how much this show means to him, and how it’s become a unique way for him to connect with his faith.

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Authors

Helen DalyDeputy Digital Editor

Helen Daly is TopMob’s Deputy Digital Editor, where she leads new projects and manages commercial partnerships. Before joining TopMob, she worked as a Deputy TV Editor for a national magazine. She holds a BA in English Literature and an MA in Media & Journalism from Newcastle University.

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2026-03-31 02:41