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The One Show - Season 2026 Episode 64
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00:11Hello and welcome to The One Show Live on BBC One and iPlayer with JB Gill and Angelica Bell.
00:17Now we have got lots to keep you entertained this Good Friday. We will be hitting the road
00:21with Ronan Keaton and bringing some Strictly Sparkle to the studio. Plus, as it's the Easter
00:26weekend, we'll be joined by two of the stars of the BBC's Pilgrimage. Yes, actor Patsy
00:31Kensett and broadcaster Jay Middleness have teamed up with five famous faces to trek 390
00:37kilometres across Northumberland and the Scottish borders for the new series. Now it starts
00:41this Easter Sunday and they'll be telling us all about it, including how the experience
00:46changed their outlook on faith and life. And from the north east of England to the west
00:50coast of Ireland, where Ronan Keating has been exploring his Irish roots in his new travel
00:54series, which you can watch on BBC Two from Easter Monday. And later, we will see him
00:59reflect on the life of his late brother Kieran in a deeply emotional moment shared with his
01:04nephew Rory. It really is a powerful watch. Also joining us tonight are Strictly's Kai
01:08Woodrington and Yovita Pristel. They'll be revealing why the new Strictly Professionals
01:12tour is set to be bigger than ever before. I can't wait. Also coming up, as churches across
01:18the UK prepare for a busy weekend of Easter services, we visit one church in Pembrokeshire, which has been
01:23silent for nearly two years after its bells were taken away for restoration. We'll hear the magical
01:28moment they ring out in tune for the first time in almost three centuries. You don't want to miss that
01:33one either. And if you have a question for any of our guests, or perhaps you want to share your
01:37Easter
01:37plans, do get in touch on WhatsApp 033 0123 1700, socials or email. But now we are starting tonight by
01:45celebrating live comedy, which is back in the spotlight following the success of Saturday Night Live UK.
01:50This week marked the first ever live comedy day, which recognises up and coming talent and
01:55grassroots venues. Kevin Douala headed to Brighton to find out why it's a moment to be celebrated.
02:02You know, being a comedian is a right laugh. Why did the bicycle fall over? But it's also a tough
02:08gig. Because it was too teared. Is it teared or tired? Performing to an audience and trying to tickle
02:14their funny bone. Can't remember it. Can be hit and miss. Why do you never see hippos hiding in the
02:20trees?
02:20Because they're very good at it.
02:29Stand up comics can spend years performing in half empty rooms, in the back of pubs, in cafes,
02:37in clubs and may never get the opportunity to make it big. Which is why it's this grassroots scene
02:43that live comedy day is all about celebrating. It's a new initiative that started this week and is set
02:50to take place each year on the 1st of April, with shows right across the UK, including this one at
02:57Comedia in Brighton. Behind the scheme is Geoff Rowe from the Live Comedy Association.
03:04We've got about 70 shows happening, about 130 comedians are performing on stages. It's where new
03:10apps are found and discovered and developed their craft. The focus is very much on the comedians and
03:17on the promoters and venues and festivals and club owners who put on these events. There's thousands and
03:22thousands of people who are employed in live comedy. You know, we all know that prices and costs are going
03:27up across the board for everybody, particularly those working in the nighttime economy. Without support,
03:32it's in danger. It's at risk. It's such a pleasure to be on the bill with some up-and-coming
03:36acts who
03:37are truly fantastic. Headlining tonight is veteran comedian Zoe Lyons. I'm reminded that I'm getting
03:45older by various things. I've got an iPad that works on facial recognition that won't allow me in
03:50before 11.30 in the morning. How important was grassroots comedy for you when you first started?
03:56It was so important. I mean, I wouldn't have been able to do what I did if it wasn't for
04:02little
04:02rooms above pubs that were, you know, supporting and nurturing new acts. How difficult is it when
04:09you're starting out in comedy to make a living? It's really tricky. You're not making much money
04:14initially, so most people are working during the day and then going out to gig at night. If you've got
04:18kids as well, all of those things, you know, and knowing how much those little venues and those gigs
04:23meant to me when I was starting out, that's why I'm here today. And because it's important that comedy
04:29gets recognised for the cultural value that it brings to this country.
04:33It's nothing better than a belly laugh and live comedy day. It's just a day to celebrate that.
04:40Please go after Michael Camposano!
04:43Also performing tonight is up-and-coming comedian Michael Camposano, who balances stand-up with his day job
04:51as a local refuse collector.
04:53I'm a bin man. That's what I do for a living. Thank you, thank you very much. Pros are being
04:58a bin man.
04:59Sometimes you can finish work early. Cons are being a bin man. You're a bin man.
05:05What made you want to get up on stage and make people laugh?
05:08I've always got a buzz off making people laugh. And then I thought, if it was that important to me,
05:13why don't I just give stand-up comedy a go and took the plunge there and then...
05:18How important is a day like today for you to be able to practice?
05:22It's an incredible opportunity. I'm getting to share the stage with really brilliant acts
05:27like Zoe Lyons, someone that I definitely am going to be able to learn from tonight.
05:32I'm guessing practice makes perfect.
05:34No matter how funny the joke is in your head, you don't know how funny it is to everyone else
05:40until you've got up and said it.
05:41You guys have been lovely. Thank you very much. You've got a great night ahead of you.
05:44I'll be with Michael Camisano. Cheers.
05:46It was amazing. All of the comedians were so talented and so funny.
05:51And it's just so nice to go out for a change.
05:56Oh, thanks, Kev. That event was a big success and it looks like it's become an annual event
06:01with gigs all around the UK.
06:02OK, time now to welcome our guests. It's Strictly Pros, Yvita Pristel and Kai Widrington
06:06and stars of the BBC series Pilgrimage, Jane Middlemiss and Patsy Kenzie.
06:12Yes. Welcome.
06:14Now, we're just going to stick on the live comedy topic because, Kai, you and your partner
06:18are huge fans, aren't you?
06:20Big fans of comedy, yes. We love comedy.
06:22And I actually got her a present because we watched The Traitors last year
06:25and I found out that my girlfriend, who's in the studio tonight, loves Alan Carr.
06:30So I gave her a little present to kind of make her work out what it was
06:33and I made her put on the mask and she was probably going to kill me
06:37on national television.
06:39But, yeah, we're going to see Alan Carr in October, so it's very exciting.
06:43He'll be very pleased you bought the ticket.
06:45Yeah, he will.
06:46Patsy, you're used to working with comedy legends like French and Saunders.
06:51I heard you couldn't keep a straight face when it came to this Braveheart sketch.
06:54Yes, that was definitely one of the funniest, most enjoyable things I've ever done
07:00and it was, you know, it was great. I want to watch it.
07:06Yeah, you all look so good.
07:08It was just fantastic and we kept getting behind because I would laugh all the time
07:16because it was so funny and it was just amazing.
07:20Great show to be a part of in the 90s as well.
07:23Lots of people were doing it.
07:25So much fun.
07:26Yes.
07:27Well, Kima was one of the many things that helped Jane and Patsy
07:30get through their epic 390km trek from the North Yorkshire coast of Whitby
07:35to Lindisfarne Island in Northumberland for the new series of Pilgrimage.
07:39Yes, it's returning to our screens on Sunday night on BBC2
07:42and it follows a group of famous faces with a range of faiths and beliefs
07:46from diversity dancer Ashley Banjo to Cold Feet actor Hermione Norris
07:49as they travel along ancient routes exploring what religion means to them.
07:53And before they tell us more, let's take a quick look.
07:57Seven celebrities are forging their very own pilgrimage.
08:01Wow, look at this!
08:03Among them, a pilgrim with a strong Christian faith,
08:07an observant Muslim and a self-proclaimed a la carte Catholic.
08:12I believe the power of prayer.
08:14They'll trace the footprint of legendary Celtic Christian saints
08:18from the 7th century.
08:20That's the most beautiful view I've ever seen in my life.
08:22Before arriving at their final destination,
08:25the holy island of Lindisfarne.
08:26Some people think this is the holiest place in England.
08:30Over 12 days,
08:32there will be challenges.
08:34It is really slippery.
08:36You're like my carer.
08:38Realisations.
08:39We have very different views, don't we?
08:41And tears.
08:42For the first time, I feel like I belong somewhere.
08:46But where will this journey of self-discovery take them?
08:50Great pilgrimage, everybody!
08:56I mean, it looks like an incredible journey,
08:58even if that water does look incredibly cold.
09:01Now, Patsy, religion's been a part of your life
09:03since you were a child, hasn't it?
09:04Yes.
09:04Well, I was raised a Catholic and went to a convent.
09:07And so that was, you know, my education and my faith.
09:13And my mother's a really devout woman.
09:17So, you know, we went to Mass every Sunday.
09:21And it was a wonderful thing to grow up in.
09:24And also, I'm an a la carte Catholic
09:27because there are things about the religion
09:29that I can't sit with today.
09:33But I've definitely got a strong belief
09:35with a higher power.
09:38And this was right up my street
09:40going and doing something like this.
09:42Do you know, we were saying that watching it,
09:44it was a really moving piece.
09:45And we got to see the essence of you
09:47in something, you know,
09:48that I would never have known about you.
09:49And I think that's really beautiful.
09:50And Jane, everybody in the show
09:52has different faiths and beliefs.
09:54And for you, you describe yourself
09:55as being more spiritual than religious.
09:58Isn't that right?
09:58I would say so, yeah.
09:59I sort of, I've done a lot of,
10:01I'm quite a seeker.
10:03So I've sort of like spent a lot of time in India
10:05and sort of traveling with gurus
10:08and learning as much as I can.
10:09So I sort of believe that all paths
10:12point to the same place.
10:14So I've sort of learned a lot
10:15about various religions.
10:17I don't necessarily follow one.
10:19I just think it's about love
10:21and being kind
10:22because everyone says the same thing.
10:24All those great teachers, you know,
10:26Jesus and all the other masters,
10:29they say all you have to do
10:31is love each other and be nice.
10:33And that's the essence.
10:36Now, Patsy, with any pilgrimage,
10:38it is physically demanding.
10:40Yes.
10:40But it was even harder for you
10:41because you were carrying an injury into it,
10:43weren't you?
10:43I broke my shoulder in three places.
10:47And it was...
10:48And recently, wasn't it?
10:49And very recently,
10:51just a few months before I did the show.
10:53So...
10:54But I didn't want to be complaining every day,
10:56you know,
10:57and I didn't want to make it...
10:59She didn't tell us.
11:01She didn't tell us.
11:02She didn't tell us.
11:04Well, I just didn't want to be
11:05the one complaining about it.
11:07I wanted to get on with it
11:08and try and keep up with everyone.
11:10I fall over a lot on the show.
11:13And I just had a great time.
11:17And the, you know,
11:17lovely Jane, Tash, Hermione, the boys...
11:21The group was amazing.
11:22The group were really great.
11:23We were so lucky
11:24because, you know,
11:26seven people
11:27and, you know,
11:27when you've got people
11:29that have never met each other
11:30like that before...
11:31We met on a clifftop, basically.
11:33And it was...
11:34We just gelled
11:35and every single person
11:36was lovely and respectful
11:38and it was a wonderful thing.
11:41It was a wonderful, wonderful thing.
11:43Yeah.
11:43Now, Patsy, you got very emotional.
11:45It was such an emotional experience for you.
11:47Yeah.
11:48But it helped you find peace as well,
11:49didn't it?
11:49No, it did.
11:50I think I went in with a lot of anger,
11:52actually, about stuff
11:54and that I attributed to
11:58things in my life
11:59that actually weren't the problem.
12:03It went way back to my childhood
12:05and I think I was able to come to that conclusion
12:08through doing the show
12:10and, like Jane said,
12:12I mean, you know,
12:13I'll take a bit of Buddhism
12:15and meditation
12:19and yoga
12:20and mix it all into one.
12:23Krishna, Buddha, Allah,
12:25you know, the whole thing.
12:27I'm truly...
12:28I'm a mixed salad of beliefs.
12:32Yeah.
12:33And you had to let that vulnerability show
12:35and find out about it.
12:36Yeah, I guess so.
12:36I think one day I was crying for a little bit
12:39because it was my son's birthday
12:41so I was missing him terribly.
12:44I don't think he noticed.
12:47Always the way.
12:49Yeah, exactly.
12:50He's having a great time.
12:51Exactly, exactly.
12:52Jane, the route is fascinating.
12:55It takes you to Lindisfarne.
12:56Yes.
12:57known as Holy Island.
12:59Yes.
12:59Area you were from,
13:00Northumberland.
13:00So it must be really special to go back.
13:02It's almost like going home.
13:03Well, it was.
13:04For me, you know,
13:05it was...
13:05I mean, it was such a sacred journey
13:07to sort of retrace the steps
13:09of where I grew up.
13:10And also, you know,
13:11all of my sort of family lineage
13:13is from that area.
13:15So in a way,
13:16I felt like I was going home
13:19and sort of like having gratitude
13:21for where I grew up
13:22and also sort of letting everyone in
13:25to this beautiful place.
13:27The only thing I am a little bit annoyed about
13:29is that, you know,
13:31Northumberland was our sort of like
13:32best kept secret.
13:34Like us Geordies.
13:35Us Geordies like knew about it
13:37and nobody else did.
13:39Now everybody did.
13:39I know there's some places in the show
13:41that I'm like,
13:41I want to go and see that.
13:42Yes, exactly.
13:44And Jane was like the oracle during it
13:46because she did know everything
13:48and she just, you know,
13:50totally was knowledgeed up every day.
13:53I was fascinated in it
13:55because it was from where I was from.
13:57We were learning some things all every day
13:58and with the walking
14:00and there's a kind of cleansing to it, really.
14:03And there's a lot of walking.
14:05Yeah.
14:05A lot of walking.
14:06A lot of walking,
14:07but also really well fed.
14:09I've had so many sandwiches.
14:11I never wanted another walk.
14:13You've had your feel of sandwiches.
14:15No, but I thought I was waiting on the show
14:17and I came back half a stone heavier.
14:22But thank you so much
14:23and you can watch
14:23Pilgrimage, The Road to Holy Island
14:25this Sunday evening
14:26at nine o'clock on BBC Two
14:27and iPlayer.
14:28Still to copy,
14:29Invita and Kai will be telling us
14:30about the return
14:31of the Strictly Professionals tour
14:33where audiences will see the pros
14:35like never before.
14:36But first,
14:37it's time for the really powerful film
14:39with Ronan Keating
14:40that we mentioned earlier
14:40as he returns to his homeland
14:42for a moving reunion
14:44with his nephew.
14:45That's all part of his travel series
14:46starting on BBC Two on Monday.
14:49But if like us,
14:50you can't wait until then,
14:51here is a special look.
14:54The glorious west coast of Ireland
14:56on the edge
14:57of the wild Atlantic Ocean.
15:00I haven't been back
15:01in a long time.
15:03I was 16
15:04when I left Ireland.
15:05There was so much
15:06of the Atlantic coast
15:07I hadn't seen.
15:08Now,
15:09I'm coming home.
15:12First,
15:13I've arranged
15:14to meet my nephew, Rory,
15:15who's a professional footballer
15:16with Cork City
15:17in the League of Ireland.
15:19Perfect.
15:21Rory's dad
15:22is the main reason
15:23why I've decided
15:24to come home.
15:26One of the first
15:27birthday gifts
15:28he gave me
15:28was a,
15:29now that's what I call
15:29Music 5.
15:31Right?
15:31I think we're at about 90 now,
15:33something like that.
15:34I think I got my,
15:35my musical education
15:36from your dad.
15:37Yeah.
15:38The musical education
15:40Ciarán gave me
15:41set me up
15:41for a life
15:42on the road
15:43with boys on.
15:44And in those early years,
15:45he joined me
15:46and we travelled
15:46the world together.
15:48Before,
15:48he decided to move
15:49to the west of Ireland
15:50to raise a family
15:51and live a different life.
15:56Two years ago,
15:57he was killed
15:58in a car accident.
15:59And our lives
16:00have never been
16:01the same since.
16:03It's what was
16:03me playing football too.
16:05I always look up
16:06and I,
16:06you know,
16:07I still,
16:07I think I can,
16:08you know,
16:09I still see him there,
16:09you know.
16:10The hardest part as well
16:11is, you know,
16:12after games,
16:13I used to check my phone.
16:14First thing I'd see
16:15was my dad's name
16:16and looking at my phone
16:17and not seeing that anymore.
16:18It's just,
16:18you know,
16:19it's,
16:20it's really hard,
16:21yeah.
16:22I've kind of
16:22parked my emotion
16:23for the last two years.
16:24Yeah.
16:25I haven't been able
16:26to really deal
16:28with the,
16:28with the loss.
16:30It's really hard.
16:32And I think
16:32this journey
16:33that I'm on
16:35is me trying
16:36to understand more
16:37so that I can
16:38somehow grieve
16:40and let go
16:41because
16:42I found it very hard.
16:44He's so proud of you.
16:45He was so proud of you
16:46and he will still
16:47be so proud of you
16:48in everything
16:49that you're doing.
16:49All of you kids,
16:51Yeah.
16:51You were his world.
16:53Yeah.
16:54I never get to say it
16:55but
16:57like,
16:57I was the baby.
17:01He was my older brother,
17:02eldest brother.
17:05He's my hero.
17:06Yeah.
17:09It's very hard.
17:12I'll do something fun now.
17:14100%.
17:15One thing about us Keatings
17:17is our love of sport.
17:21And here in Cork,
17:22there's a unique
17:23Irish sport
17:24that's thriving.
17:27Road bowls.
17:29Played out on open
17:30but quiet rural back roads.
17:32Two competitors
17:33go up against each other
17:34over a set distance,
17:35usually about three kilometres.
17:37Whoever throws
17:38the least number of shots
17:39to the finish line wins.
17:41And there's one on today.
17:44It's Tim Young
17:45against Tim McDonough.
17:47For the spectators
17:48who follow the action,
17:49well,
17:50you've got to have
17:51your wits about you.
17:58With almost 20,000 euros
18:00as the prize for winning,
18:02I can see why
18:03they take it so seriously.
18:05Here we go.
18:05He's throwing,
18:06he's throwing.
18:06Watch it.
18:10Come on.
18:11I'll get two bones
18:12or get them.
18:13Come on.
18:14Come on, boy.
18:15Look at shit.
18:15It's very intense, isn't it?
18:17Very intense.
18:18This score
18:19has come down
18:20to the very last shot.
18:22Whoever throws furthest
18:23wins.
18:24This is it.
18:28He's got it.
18:30He's got it.
18:32Great to watch.
18:33Thank you for allowing us
18:33to watch it.
18:34That was a very impressive
18:35hard fight.
18:38Right, lads.
18:39Ronan against Rory.
18:40Oh, yeah.
18:41I'm not sure of my technique
18:42just yet.
18:43And the longest shot wins.
18:49Oh, my God.
18:51Go on.
18:52Oh, in the hedge.
18:55All right.
18:55You ready, Ron?
18:56Go for it.
18:59Oh, it's a good one.
19:00Oh, it's gone.
19:05Oh, nice.
19:07Nice.
19:08100 quid, was it?
19:08100 quid, was it?
19:09Is that what you said?
19:10200.
19:11200.
19:11Yeah, I won.
19:12Oh, no.
19:12Did you?
19:15Have a day.
19:16Enjoyed it.
19:16Look at this.
19:17Sorry I beat you.
19:19Next time, I'll let you in.
19:21That was so moving.
19:23One minute you're crying
19:24and next week you're laughing.
19:25I know.
19:25So much hope in that film.
19:27Yeah.
19:27And if you want to see more
19:28Ronan Keating's Wild Atlantic
19:30starts on Monday evening
19:31at 6.30 on BBC2
19:32and iPlayer
19:33and continues throughout the week.
19:35Right, it's time to talk Strictly
19:37because after a year's break
19:38the Strictly Pro Tour
19:39is back.
19:41Yavita,
19:42you start rehearsals on Monday.
19:43What's in store?
19:45I genuinely cannot wait
19:47because last year
19:48we didn't have the Pro Tour
19:49and I think
19:51this is one of the highlights
19:53of our career
19:55and being on Strictly Come Dancing
19:57because personally
19:59I love performing in the theatre.
20:01I think that's the best way
20:03to meet your audience
20:04to get a bit more intimate
20:06with them
20:07because you can actually see them
20:09and also I think
20:10it's such a great way
20:12to say thank you
20:13to everyone who supports us
20:15during the season
20:18and just
20:19it's just pure dancing
20:21and just pure celebration
20:22of dance
20:23and I'm genuinely
20:25I'm already sweating
20:26that I want to get on that dance floor
20:29and just dance.
20:30And just show off your skills
20:31because you're trained
20:32you're amazing at what you do.
20:34We hope so.
20:37You really are amazing.
20:38Honestly, you are amazing
20:40and you've got such
20:41an incredible fan base.
20:43Now, Kaya,
20:43audiences are going to be excited
20:44to see some of the pro dances
20:45that you did
20:46throughout the show
20:47but it's a chance for them
20:48to see you all as individuals
20:49as well, isn't it?
20:50Absolutely.
20:51The whole ethos of this show
20:53is getting to know us.
20:54You see us on Strictly
20:55with our celebs
20:56where we can't dance
20:58at our max all the time
21:00most of the time.
21:01So you get to see us individually
21:03talk about our stories
21:04where we come from
21:04how we got into dancing
21:05you've got all of us
21:06from all over the globe
21:07you've got myself
21:08you've got Yvita from Poland
21:09you've got Nancy from China
21:11Neil from down the road
21:12from where I'm from
21:14and we have a good bit
21:16of banter on stage
21:16there's a bit of tongue in cheek
21:17and it's just a real rounded show
21:19for families to come and watch
21:21that people have, you know
21:22loved the show for years
21:23and they get to see us
21:24up close and personal.
21:25Yeah, I mean I know
21:26from my Strictly Deja Vita
21:27you all get on incredibly well
21:29and Neil, mentioning Neil
21:30he's a bit of a prankster, isn't he?
21:33He is.
21:34Neil does the best pranks ever.
21:36I think everyone
21:38everyone being pranked by Neil
21:41myself, he likes to hold me in a wing
21:44so I'm not allowed to go on stage on time
21:46and then I need to figure it out
21:48what to do
21:49to keep up with the routine
21:51you know
21:52one time
21:53I think he sprayed vinegar
21:55to someone's shoes
21:56Did he?
21:57Yeah
21:59But then we got him back
22:00because then he was about to go on
22:01so me and Gorka
22:02tried to tie his shoelaces together
22:04so he was sort of like
22:05jumping on stage like that
22:07so we give it back to him
22:08as much as he dishes it out
22:09I got off lightly
22:11when I was on tour
22:11You did?
22:12Did you do anything naughty?
22:14No, he didn't
22:15He was nice to you
22:16He was nice to you
22:17I got away unscathed
22:19Now Yvita, just take us back
22:21to the start of your
22:22Strictly journey
22:23because you came to the UK
22:25with a dream of being on the show
22:27Yes
22:27So basically
22:28I bought one way ticket
22:30I didn't have anything here
22:33no apartment
22:34no perspective
22:35the only thing I've got
22:36it was my big dream
22:37to be a part of
22:39Strictly Come Dancing
22:39So first of all
22:41every Saturday night
22:42I was sitting in the audience
22:44watching the show
22:45as an audience member
22:46Really?
22:47You went down?
22:48Every Saturday night
22:49and then I was
22:51lucky to join
22:53The Greatest Dancer Show
22:54so I went to Birmingham
22:56to do the audition
22:57I got through
22:58to the live shows
23:00and the prize for winning
23:02the competition
23:03was performance
23:04on Strictly Come Dancing
23:05So that was my biggest goal
23:07to win the show
23:09so then I'll be able
23:10to perform
23:11on the Strictly floor
23:13happened
23:15and I remember
23:17that day
23:18when I perform
23:19on the Strictly floor
23:20as a guest act
23:22I
23:23I mean
23:24it sounds silly
23:25but
23:25I kissed the floor
23:28and I said
23:29I'll see you soon
23:32and a year later
23:33I joined
23:34yeah
23:35we both together
23:36we joined the show
23:36But that is so inspirational
23:38that you had a dream
23:39you visualised it
23:40and you made it happen
23:41it's a manifestation
23:42you know
23:42when I think about it now
23:44I was mad
23:46like
23:47what did you think
23:49was going to happen
23:49you know
23:50exactly what happened
23:51it paid off
23:52you know
23:53and yeah
23:54I'm still pinching myself
23:55because I feel like
23:56I'm living in a fairy tale
23:58like
23:58to be able
23:59like
24:00I think for both of us
24:01to be able to do
24:02what we love the most
24:04as our career
24:05job
24:05is the biggest blessing
24:07we can have
24:08there you go
24:09you're living the dream
24:11Strictly the professional store
24:13kicks off at the end
24:14of the month
24:14in the Stockton Globe Theatre
24:16now this weekend
24:17church bells across the UK
24:19will be ringing out
24:20as people come together
24:21for Easter services
24:22but in one community
24:24in Pembrokeshire
24:24things have been
24:25a little quiet recently
24:26yes
24:26their centuries old
24:27church bells
24:28were taken away
24:29for restoration
24:29and now two years on
24:31they're ready to be heard
24:32once more
24:32much to the delight
24:34of locals
24:38the bells
24:39at St Mary's Church
24:40Pembroke
24:40mean a great deal
24:41to the community here
24:44the bells form part
24:46of the town's
24:46soundscape
24:47people have been used
24:48to hearing the bells
24:49for hundreds of years
24:50well it's a community
24:52asset
24:53and most of the people
24:54here
24:54they can set their own
24:56time and agenda
24:58by the bells
24:58I've been ringing the bells
25:00for 65 years nearly
25:03I'll continue to
25:04ring the bells
25:05into my 80s
25:06they're part of
25:07Pembroke's history
25:10but in 2024
25:11it became clear
25:12that they had
25:13deteriorated
25:14to the point
25:15where it was no longer
25:16safe to use them
25:17Tower Captain
25:18Anne Bunker
25:19and her team
25:20got together
25:20with the community
25:21and secured funding
25:22to have them restored
25:24one of the major problems
25:26is that all the joists
25:27holding up the floor
25:28supporting the bell frame
25:30have rotted
25:31where they go
25:31into the tower walls
25:32in April of 2024
25:34it was time
25:36to say goodbye
25:37this is our last time
25:39to ring Stedman doubles
25:40at Pembroke
25:40for a long time
25:46the overhaul
25:47would cost
25:48£245,000
25:50and Blythe & Co
25:51a firm of
25:52Church Bell Specialists
25:54were tasked
25:55with taking them out
25:56we're near the sea
25:57and still
25:58it rusts
25:59when it gets wet
25:59and in actual fact
26:01some of the beams
26:02have actually fractured
26:03so it's a case of safety
26:04having to take the bells out
26:05and completely rehang them
26:10Saving the bells
26:10at St Mary's
26:11is important
26:12to Canon Roger Jones
26:14There would be
26:15some disappointment
26:15if there are any weddings booked
26:17that the bells aren't available
26:18but unfortunately
26:19these things need doing
26:22Now we have an opportunity
26:23to get them all ringing correctly
26:26and making it easier to ring
26:30All eight bells were removed
26:31and transported
26:32from Pembroke, West Wales
26:34over 280 miles
26:36for restoration
26:37at Newark
26:38by Tom Blythe
26:40and his team
26:41They were quite out of tune
26:45So they've now been tuned
26:46to make them sound correct
26:48The design process began
26:50and new bell fittings
26:52were made to rehang them
26:54And the clappers in the bell
26:56Oh right
26:57The swing's okay, is it?
26:59The clappers as well
27:00they have to be specially machined
27:01so they swing at the right speed
27:03and then we can start thinking
27:05about the bell frame
27:06that's designed
27:06especially by our designer
27:08to suit the tower
27:09So you've just got to put
27:11the frame sides on now
27:12and put the timber tops on
27:14Yeah, build the oak timber sills
27:16As part of the restoration process
27:19one bell was replaced
27:20and two new bells were cast
27:22to complete the set of ten
27:25Tom and his team
27:26worked on the bells for 12 months
27:28In January
27:29they were transported back
27:30and reinstalled
27:33The bells have been brought down
27:35roughly 15 feet
27:36for two reasons
27:38The first one is that
27:40the tower is structurally stronger
27:41if the bells are lower in it
27:43and also the bells sound
27:45more pleasant outside
27:50And now they're being rung
27:51for the first time since 2024
27:55Well it's been a long time
27:56and an awful lot of work
27:57but here we are at last
28:01They sound amazing
28:02so much better than they used to sound
28:04and so much easier to ring
28:06They feel wonderful
28:09light, easy to ring
28:11a pleasure
28:12for new people coming in
28:14to learn
28:15they're going to be wonderful
28:16We've had some weddings
28:17but of course
28:17no bells
28:19but now they're back
28:19they sound marvellous
28:22It's been nearly two years
28:24since we took the bells out
28:25so it's been a very long time coming
28:27and it feels amazing
28:29to get them ringing again
28:35Oh put a smile on your face
28:36great to see
28:37and hear the bells
28:37back in action
28:38in St Mary's Church
28:39just in time for Easter
28:41Patsy
28:41you want to hear about
28:42your Easter plans
28:42apparently you're hooking up
28:44with one of your friends
28:44from the 90s
28:45Well I'm dashing to Paddingham Station
28:47and I'm going to spend Easter
28:49with Elizabeth Hurley
28:51and Damien
28:52who is
28:53I'm
28:54an honorary aunt
28:56Oh
28:56That's gorgeous
28:57Yes
28:58and so
28:58both my boys are away
29:01so
29:01yes
29:02I'm heading off
29:03I'm going to have a wonderful weekend
29:05I can't wait
29:06Yeah
29:06it sounds like
29:07it's going to be a good one
29:08We've had some
29:09comments flooding in
29:10for you guys
29:11Jane
29:11you've got one from Dave
29:12I bet the pilgrimage
29:13is a world away
29:14from Top of the Pops
29:17Kanye Vita
29:17you've got one from Luke
29:18he says
29:19the very best of luck
29:20for the Pro Tour
29:21it's going to be amazing
29:22and then one for both
29:24Patsy and Jane
29:25very much looking forward
29:26to watching Pilgrimage
29:27Yay
29:27it's going to be good
29:28That's nice
29:29Yeah
29:29Everyone loves it
29:30we're looking forward to that
29:31Yeah
29:32We're looking forward to it
29:33Looking forward to watching you
29:35We love you
29:36Exactly
29:37Well that is all
29:38we've got time for tonight
29:39Thank you so much
29:39to all our guests
29:40Alex and Clara
29:41will be back on Tuesday
29:42and we've got a whole host
29:43of fabulous guests
29:44joining us throughout the week
29:45including actor Brian Cox
29:46we've got Bradley Walsh
29:47Joanna Page
29:47and Martin Freeman
29:48Yes we've got the little
29:49Happy Easter
29:50Happy Easter
29:50Happy Easter
29:50Yeah
29:50Happy Easter
29:56Happy Easter
29:56Happy Easter
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