Patsy Kensit's Emotional Pilgrimage Journey: Tears and Healing on BBC Show
Actress Patsy Kensit was reduced to tears during filming for a new BBC series, revealing that past emotional wounds made it challenging for her to connect with fellow participants. The 58-year-old star, who rose to fame as a child actress, is set to appear in the upcoming eighth series of Pilgrimage: The Road To Holy Island on BBC Two.
A Spiritual Trek Across North East England
The programme follows seven celebrities with diverse beliefs as they undertake a 390-kilometre network of trails across North East England. Their journey includes visits to historic sites such as Whitby Abbey, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Durham Cathedral, and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Joining Kensit are fellow participants Ashley Banjo, 37, Hermione Norris, 59, Tasha Ghouri, 27, Hasan Al-Habib, Jayne Middlemiss, 55, and Ashley Blaker, 47.
Opening Up About Emotional Struggles
Reflecting on her experience, Kensit described herself as an "à la carte Catholic" and shared how the pilgrimage deeply affected her. "Every day I got something good out of it. I cried a lot as well," she admitted. "Yeah, I got emotional a few times." She explained that letting her guard down and getting to know her co-stars was a significant part of the process.
Kensit revealed that Ashley Banjo observed her initial defensiveness, noting, "He said to me that when he first met me, he felt I had a lot of walls up, that there was something there." She acknowledged this, stating, "You're absolutely right. I've been hurt by people in the past, and so I might tend to find my way a bit awkwardly into a group activity." Ultimately, she found the experience transformative, declaring, "It was so good for me. I was reborn on the other side of it."
Faith and Personal Beliefs
Discussing her spiritual views, Kensit elaborated on her Catholic upbringing and current practices. "I was born and raised Catholic. I went to a convent and I still go to mass," she said. However, she maintains a selective approach, explaining, "There are so many things about the religion that I don't agree with, but I love going to mass and the pomp and circumstance of it."
Her beliefs extend beyond traditional doctrine, as she shared, "I believe in manifestation and positivity. I weave in and out of days of completely nailing it, and then you dip a bit, but I just have this belief in a higher power. God, Krishna, Buddha. I'm very moved by spirituality." She credits the Catholic Church with providing comfort after her mother's death and practices daily gratitude, saying, "I get out of bed every day, I put one foot down and I say thank you, and I put my other foot down and I say thank you, and I've said thank you about 55 times before I get in the shower. Just gratitude."
Insights from the Pilgrimage Experience
Kensit found value in observing the beliefs of others during the journey. "I think it's fascinating, people's beliefs. We see sometimes how devoted people are to their beliefs, and suddenly this power would come through," she remarked. She appreciated the openness and humour with which participants shared their views, noting, "It was just interesting to see people being protective over their beliefs and sharing them so openly and just having a great sense of humour about it. These are troubled times and it's just wonderful."
One particular moment stood out as a highlight for her. "My happiest day on the shoot was one day in the middle, where we all stopped for lunch after this mammoth climb. We all sat around just eating sandwiches, and the sun was shining, and we were at the side of this beautiful cliff. It was one of the happiest days of my life. It was so, so great," she recalled.
Pilgrimage: The Road To Holy Island premieres on Sunday 5 April at 9pm on BBC Two and iPlayer, offering viewers a glimpse into this emotional and spiritual celebrity journey.
