Write Around the World with Richard E Grant

Richard E. Grant is tremendous fun to watch and I'd happily see hours of him shovelling food into his mouth, trying to coax a reluctant donkey, sampling perfumes and yes, stripping off and diving into the sea. Those parts and the plush scenery and earnest readings of acclaimed works as he wanders the world (or rather, three regions across Europe) make it an easy recommendation. What makes it harder to love are the smattering of somewhat promo-like interviews with irritating author expats living in tumble-down farmhouses and writing naff books about their experiences. Even the glorious Grant can't lift these often weirdly protracted encounters from being quite severely grating. As a show it's a pleasant holiday, but I wouldn't live there.