Joe Wilkinson Launches New Train Travel Vodcast Series for Channel 4
Comedian and Celebrity Traitors star Joe Wilkinson has secured a new digital series for Channel 4's YouTube channel, titled Train-ing It with Joe Wilkinson. The five-part vodcast will feature Wilkinson interviewing celebrities while journeying on trains across the United Kingdom.
Inaugural Episode Features Acclaimed Actor Michael Sheen
The series premiere, set to air on 27 March, showcases Wilkinson's conversation with renowned Welsh actor Michael Sheen. The pair met at London's Waterloo station and travelled to Kingston in south London, where Sheen is performing at the Rose Theatre. During their journey, Sheen revealed a pivotal moment from his youth: a train ride back from visiting Warwick University solidified his decision to pursue acting. He recounted telling his mother about his desire to attend drama school instead of university, leading to familial support after discussions with his father.
Sheen also shared insights into his career challenges, noting that performing has become more demanding with age. "There's more pressure and nervousness now about remembering the lines," he explained, though he emphasised the joy of the first two hours after finishing a play each evening. To make ends meet before drama school, Sheen worked at Wales' first drive-through burger bar in Port Talbot, an experience that strengthened his resolve to never return to such work.
Series Highlights and Guest Line-Up
In addition to Michael Sheen, the vodcast will reunite Wilkinson with his Celebrity Traitors co-star and fellow comedian Nick Mohammed in another episode. The series is produced in partnership with the Rail Delivery Group, highlighting a quintessentially British travel backdrop. Wilkinson expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "I genuinely love trains and I love chatting to folk, so I am thrilled to be doing this show." He described the format as simple: embarking on train journeys with admired individuals and transforming these conversations into engaging vodcast content.
Wilkinson's Personal Reflections on Comedy and Performance
During the interview with Sheen, Wilkinson opened up about his own experiences in stand-up comedy. He admitted that while he loves his job, he finds it incredibly difficult. "The only way I can do it is to have total and utter contempt for the audience," Wilkinson said, explaining that this mindset helps him avoid being overly concerned with audience perceptions. He added that comedy requires immense effort to appear effortless, noting, "If they're noticing how hard you are working, you're not doing it right." Reflecting on his career, Wilkinson humorously remarked that he enjoyed comedy more before he started performing it professionally.
Channel 4's Vision for the Series
Stephen Parnell, Digital Commissioning Executive at Channel 4, praised the series as more than just a digital chat show on a train. "It's a chance for Joe Wilkinson to take his love of rail travel and combine it with genuine curiosity about the people he admires," Parnell stated. He described the show as a warm and witty celebration of train travel across the UK, featuring fantastic guests and authentic conversations. The series aims to capture the unique atmosphere of British rail journeys while delving into the personal stories of its guests.
After parting ways with Sheen at Kingston station, Wilkinson fondly recalled their interaction, describing Sheen as "a lovely man." He was particularly delighted when Sheen signed his autograph book with the message: "From one puffer nutter to another," a nod to their shared enthusiasm for trains. The vodcast series promises to blend humour, travel, and intimate discussions, offering viewers a fresh perspective on both celebrity insights and the charm of train travel in Britain.
