Season 3

2018 · 4 episodes

A group of celebrities see if they can have a better retirement in India than in the UK.

1Episode 1Selina Scott, Susan George, Stephanie Beacham, Ian and Janette Tough (aka the Krankies), Syd Little, Peter Dean, Bob Champion and Stanley Johnson arrive at their new home in Udaipur. First-time curry eater Bob struggles to adjust to the Indian diet, and the Krankies find dealing with the realities of living in India unsettling - the animals in the street, the more basic way of life and the piles of rubbish that can distract from the beauty. Veteran of India Stanley embraces his first few days, swimming alongside the locals and throwing himself into the challenge with good humour, alongside Syd, who enjoys immersing himself into the local way of life, including his first ever yoga class. While enjoying her first trip to India, Selina is used to living on her own so finds the group-living arrangements quite a test. With the group not yet united in their opinion on the place, they head off to see another part of Rajasthan. Some of them head to Jodphur, where Bob gets back in the saddle as he visits one of India's oldest polo clubs, and they also visit the world-famous Mehrangarh Fort, which astounds Selina and Stanley with its history, beauty and grandeur. Meanwhile, Stephanie, Syd and Peter embrace India's spiritual side as they visit one of the oldest ashrams in the region. Sceptical at first, Syd is soon won round by the calm aura of the place and the sense of peace he's finding in India. Stephanie, Peter and Syd immerse themselves in the ashram community and find the magic of India is having an effect on all of them, which culminates when they witness the ancient ritual of firewalking.
2Episode 2It's the second week in India, and the senior citizens have settled into their new home and are embracing life in Udaipur. Having found their feet with group living, they go in search of their favourite pastimes. Syd, Bob and the Krankies head to the local park, and realise the benefits of living in a warm country as they get stuck into exercising outdoors, and Stanley, Peter and Selina decide to tackle the language and try their hand at Hindi. The group receive a grand invitation from the maharanah and are invited to mingle with Udaipur's high society at the City Palace, where entertainer Janette Krankie wastes no time in showing off her dancing skills. Cricket lover Stanley makes a friend at the local cricket club and proves that age is no barrier to being at the crease, as he gets in his whites and has a crack against the local team. Music fan Syd searches for his own passion and discovers a love for the sitar, with his first lesson proving an unexpected challenge. Meanwhile, Peter goes in search of a lady friend and tries his hand at dating, and the Krankies are ready to escape the city, and go on a rural adventure of their own, enjoying the surrounding countryside. The group end the week with a trip to the northern state of the Punjab to visit one of India's most spectacular and holiest cities. As they travel to the magnificent Golden Temple in Amritsar, Stanley goes back in time as he revisits somewhere he last went to in his student days. As the senior citizens join in in some of the traditions of the Sikh faith, they discover the sense of giving and strength of community at the heart of Sikhism and are once again moved by the magic of India.
3Episode 3The group are now settled into life in Udaipur and are ready to explore further afield. Country lovers Bob, Susan and Selina want to see more of rural Rajasthan and head into the hills to go horse riding and camping, but it is not quite the glamping trip they imagined. Over the campfire they open up about the difficult times in their lives, Bob's battle with cancer and Susan's loss of her husband. Meanwhile, in Udaipur, Syd and Ian continue their Indian cookery lessons, Stanley the adventurer relives his youth on the back of a motorcycle, and Stephanie explores her inner self through meditation. The group end the week with a trip to the neighbouring state of Gujarat for one of India's biggest annual festivals, Navratri, but to get there involves a 12-hour journey on a sleeper train. After attempting to learn a Gujarati folk dance, they get kitted out in traditional costumes and join thousands of worshippers for a night of celebrations for the powerful Hindu warrior goddess Durga. Susan, Selina and Stephanie get caught up in the intoxicating atmosphere, dancing with abandon into the early hours.
4Episode 4After a month of testing the waters to see whether they could live a life of retirement in India, the group's stay is coming to an end. It is their final week of living at the Udaipur haveli. The senior citizens make the most of their last week together, with some enjoying the last of what the local city has to offer while others are setting off on ventures further afield. Susan, Syd and the Krankies go on one last adventure as they visit the pilgrimage town of Pushkar, where loved ones are remembered and relationships are celebrated. Syd and Susan are both moved by the spirituality of the holy city and share special memories together. Closer to home, Bob - still in search of some relief for his back problems - delves into the world of natural medicine, and his first Ayurvedic treatment comes as rather a surprise. Stephanie continues her spiritual journey in India and takes Susan to see a palmist and astrologer, where they discover good things are on the horizon. Keen to go out with a bang, Stanley organises a final cricket match between the senior citizens and their new local friends. Getting into the spirit of India's most famous sport, they don on their cricket whites and take to the crease - some for the first time in their lives! Captaining the group is Stanley, who rallies the troops as they get stuck in and take on the locals. The month comes to an end with a final party and a musical rendition from Syd. The group reflect on the friendships formed, and lessons learnt, at the end of a wonderful month in Rajasthan.

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