Gef Box: All the Strictly Stars and a Travelling Reality Show

Do you enjoy your Strictly Come Dancing? Then my recommendations will be perfect for your viewing this week. 

Anton and Giovanni’s Adventures in Sicily

Lovable Strictly pros Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice take a trip to Pernice’s native Sicily. They take in the culture and history of the beautiful Mediterranean island, just off Italy, swapping stories about their childhoods and their experiences on the hit BBC show.

Before announcing they would be hitting dancefloors across the UK in their tour ‘Him & Me’, this would have come across an unlikely friendship. But seeing their chemistry and genuine bond come out in this three-part series is a revelatory joy.

It’s reminiscent of that familiar feeling of being dragged around on a school trip, as the Italian points out, while Du Beke appreciates the history he discovers. However, this show delves much deeper than the average travel programme, showing us why these two make such a good pairing. Its raw emotion is enough to bring a tear to the eye as Pernice admits that Du Beke was his biggest supporter when he first arrived in England from Italy over 10 years ago.

Watch it on BBC iPlayer or tune into the second episode on BBC One tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9pm.

Race Across the World

This reality travel show is on its third series now and the concept still feels as new as day one.

Race Across the World challenges competitors to travel in pairs across Canada, making their way from Vancouver to St John’s – though it’s not as simple as one may think. They must hit certain checkpoints along the way, don’t have the option of flying, are given a tight budget, and are denied access to the internet. All of this to win £20,000.

All is not plain sailing for our contenders, with worries about running into the odd bear, the lack of public transport and hitching rides with strangers. It’s quite the change from series one and two, which challenged the pairs to travel from London to Singapore and Mexico City to Ushuaia, Argentina respectively.

More than anything it showcases the endurance of the human spirit and that’s what many viewers love about it. Of course, there’s also the mistakes often made that keep people watching too.

It’s on every Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One or watch all three series on iPlayer.

Binge-worthy box sets

Dead To Me

One of my all-time favourites! I simply can’t get enough of this show and I was sorry to see it end.

Jen, a cynical widow, attends a support group for the bereaved after her husband dies in a hit-and-run. There, she befriends Judy – her opposite in every way – who has suffered a loss of her own. But Judy is guarding a terrible secret and as the pair become more co-dependent it threatens to reveal itself. 

Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini star in this one and James Marsden also plays a big role. After three seasons, I’m convinced this trio couldn’t be a more perfect fit, especially Applegate and Cardellini. Their chemistry translated into real life too, with Cardellini supporting Applegate after her multiple sclerosis diagnosis, an autoimmune disease that disrupts communication between the brain and body, which she received during the filming of the third and final season.

Find Dead To Me on Netflix.

Specials

Strictly Amy: Crohn’s and Me

Another Strictly professional brought out her own show in 2020. Amy Dowden has been a staple in the dancing series since 2017, but many viewers may be unaware of her the battles she faces daily.

The Welsh dancer tells all about her battle with Crohn’s disease in this very revealing documentary. The chronic bowel condition was kept a secret for years for fear of it overshadowing Dowden’s success but in 2020 she finally decided to show the brutal reality of living with the incurable disease.

We find out the effects it has had on her personal and professional life as well as hear from others about the impact it’s had on them. The special follows Dowden as she embarks on the UK Strictly Tour, her debut solo dance show, and her summer wedding. During filming, Amy is hospitalised due to her illness at the height of the Covid pandemic.

Watch it on BBC iPlayer.

She also opened up to This Morning about her life with Crohn’s in 2019.