Yahoo News BBC Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour is a wonderful anecdote for heartbreak and not your normal celeb travelogue
Rylan Clark and Judge Rinder joining forces for a travel show sounds like a recipe for ingenious entertainment. I can't help but feel small waves of dread when a celeb pair announce a travelogue - the words Groundhog Day spring to mind.
I'd rather watch Boozed Up Brits Abroad than waste another hour of my life watching TV stars visit another Mediterranean vineyard to sample "dashing" local wines before they leave feeling woozy. Alan Carr and Amanda Holden's Italian job on BBC One was a very funny and binge-worthy series, but could another two television presenters also exploring the same country for the same broadcaster be worth a watch? Well, I can sum up Robert and Rylan's Grand Tour in one word - magnificent.
I have been a fan of Rylan since he stole our hearts on the X Factor. Robert also seems like a genuinely nice guy with a dry sense of humour and looks that could kill. But the unlikely pairing is the perfect combination for exploring the wonders of Venice while entertaining viewers, and the first episode which aired BBC Two on Sunday evening (May 12) proved to be a flying success. Please be aware there are mentions of suicidal thoughts throughout this article and in the show - if you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact Mind or the Samaritans, who can also be reached by calling 116123.
'I couldn't eat, I wanted to end it all'
Both men were recently and heartbreakingly divorced from their husbands, which spurred them on to follow in the footsteps of Lord Byron's Grand Tour. Despite Rob and Rylan experiencing Italian culture the show was more about their life experiences, and their individual journey to heal.
In one particular scene, Rylan and Rob enjoyed a beverage in a beautiful bar in Venice and spoke about their heartache and the effects of their divorces. This is when the duo's conversation turned very serious and left them emotional.
"I think it was a culmination of my marriage breaking down and actually me stopping for the first time in 10 years", Rylan told his pal. "Then, all of a sudden, I hit quite a big speed bump instead of carrying on, I just sunk."
Rylan then frankly added: "It was the worst experience of my life. I just went on a downward spiral. I tried to end it, I tried to finish myself off. I didn't eat, I went down to 9st. I'm 6ft4 Rob, like I look horrendous."
Rob took off his sunglasses and nodded as Rylan then said: "I'm so grateful for what I've got", before confirming he would "give it all up" if it meant not to put his mum through all of the stress of him being unwell.
Rob then opened up about his marriage as he started getting more emotional. "I was once so in love when I was in my early twenties, but it wasn't reciprocated. And it never has been."
"Do you know what, Rob?", Rylan replied: "We're here once, we've been through quite a lot of stuff - what's it taught us? Nothing's forever unless it's right". The two then shared a cheers and took a sip of their drink before Rylan dropped a joke to "lighten the mood" as Rob wiped the tears away from his eyes, and the pair laughed.
You couldn't help but want to give both Rylan and Rob a hug. Their emotion was so raw, honest and a mile away from their two personas we're so used to seeing on the television, it humanised their celebrity egos.
These are two successful and attractive television stars that have completely different interests but are both healing from heartbreak. It's refreshing to see men who are in the showbiz industry opening up candidly about their feelings which ultimately delivered a powerful message - it's ok to feel sad, vulnerable and emotional.
They validated each other's feelings and reciprocated support and understanding. The conversation also, probably unknowingly, injected some compassion for those who have come out of a failed relationship and are now riding their 30s and 40s as a singleton.
But with their heartbreak comes freedom, hope and refreshing desires to battle on. The pair's journey around Italy is filled with humour, learning and delving into a culture unfamiliar to them, but most importantly it's ultimately two lads on holiday meandering their way out of divorce and heartache. Rob and Rylan's Grant Tour should be bumped over to prime-time viewing on BBC One.
Rob and Rylan's Grant Tour airs Sunday at 9pm on BBC Two, and is also available to stream on iPlayer.
