Shirley Ballas, Fred Sirieix, Deborah Meaden and Larry Lamb are among the celebrity guests exploring a coastal hideaway in Northern Ireland for BBC Two series B&B By The Sea.
The series follows 15 celebrities who are ‘whisked away from their hectic everyday life to a tranquil bed and breakfast’ set against the backdrop of the Causeway Coast to explore the local area, discover its history, help the B&B team and enjoy a ‘restorative break for the body, mind and soul’, the BBC said.
It features 15 half-an-hour episodes and is part of the BBC’s commitment to making content across the UK with a wider regional focus.
In a trailer for the series, First Dates star Sirieix is seen gasping at the Northern Irish coastline, saying: ‘Wow, look at that.’
Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmer Ellie Simmonds also says while glancing out to sea: ‘Just phenomenal isn’t it, just beautiful.’
On air: Shirley Ballas, Fred Sirieix, Deborah Meaden and Larry Lamb are among the celebrity guests exploring a coastal hideaway in Northern Ireland for BBC Two series B&B By The Sea (Fred pictured with tour guide Rory O’Kane)
Dragons’ Den star Deborah is seen cooking a meal for the first time in her life, later adding a comment about the coastline: ‘When you just listen to the waves and watch them roll in, I think that’s very calming on the soul.’
Gavin & Stacey actor Larry is seen enjoying local delicacies from Michelin star chef Alex Greene, while former footballer Neil Ruddock and Hairy Biker Si King learn about local history.
Si later reveals the family reason why being by the sea is so important to him.
Former EastEnders actress Nina Wadia learns how to make chocolate truffles in the series, while Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley is seen teaching dance steps, and former rugby player Ugo Monye is seen catching fish and paddle boarding.
TV star Debbie McGee also appears in the series and said: ‘It’s just been wonderful, Northern Ireland has lived up to its expectations.’
Emma-Rosa Dias, executive producer of the series, said: ‘It’s an absolute honour to showcase our part of the world. Filmed on the beautiful Northern Ireland coastline, the stunning landscape and warm culture within the cast and crew gave the show a true sense of genuine local positivity, which is reflected on screen.
‘All our celebrity guests rolled up their sleeves and came together with local suppliers to foster a truly warm, family feeling while really opening up and sharing why being by the sea was so important to them.’
It comes after Fred’s other show Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip was thrown into chaos when Gino D’Acampo quit after three series.
On air: The series follows 15 celebrities who are ‘whisked away from their hectic everyday life to a tranquil bed and breakfast’ set against the backdrop of the Causeway Coast (Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden pictured)
The chef, 46, said that he was leaving due to a row over ‘complicated’ contracts.
The ITV programme saw the Italian TV favourite travel the globe with fellow foodies Gordon Ramsay and Fred as they explore the local cuisine.
Gino said that his friendships with his former colleagues had nothing to do with his exit with their ‘strong’ bond meaning more to him than arguments over contracts.
Telling his followers on Instagram: ‘Last week I decided not to film any more Gordon, Gino and Fred Road trips. The reason is very simple – nothing to do with Gordon or Fred, the friendship is very strong.’
He continued: ‘It’s just because we can’t get the dates together and sometimes when we do get the dates together sometimes they get changed and it causes a lot of problems for me because I have other stuff that I have to do.
Quit: Gino D’Acampo has revealed he has left his popular ITV show Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip
Travels: The show saw the Italian TV favourite (left) travel the globe with fellow foodies Gordon Ramsay (centre) and Fred Sirieix (right) as they explore the local cuisine
‘Personal problems as well because when I have to change things with my family it is very complicated and also because [of] contracts.’
Gino is married to Jessica Stellina Morrison with whom he has sons Luciano, 21 and Rocco, 18 and nine-year-old daughter Mia.
Gino went on to say: ‘Because contracts start to become very complicated and very stressful, I personally value the friendship with Gordon and Fred so much that I would rather the friendship than arguments with the contract.’
‘So I have decided not to do it anymore because I want to be friends with the boys for many, many years ahead.’
An ITV spokesman said: ‘A brand new series of Gordon, Gino & Fred’s Road Trip in Spain will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX later this year’ – having already been filmed.
Tricky: Gino said that his friendships with his former colleagues had nothing to do with his exit with their ‘strong’ bond meaning more to him than arguments over contracts
The popular show first aired in 2018 with the trio travelling France and Italy, before heading to America in 2020 followed by a trip to Greece two years later.
The series has also spawned three Christmas specials.
Back in December during an appearance on Good Morning Britain Gino recalled first meeting his wife he was a 17-year-old chef and she was a waitress in a restaurant.
B&B By The Sea, which aired in Northern Ireland in November, will air nationally from April 10.
Saucy stuff: The popular show first aired in 2018 with the trio travelling to France and Italy, before heading to America in 2020 followed by a trip to Greece – and three Christmas specials
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