Holiday Of My Lifetime

Strictly Come Dancing’s head judge, Len Goodman, takes a well-loved famous face back in time to recreate their own childhood holiday.

Episode 1 (Monday)

In today’s journey through time, Len Goodman takes one hairy biker Dave Myers back to The Isle of Man to reminisce about his seaside holiday from 1967. Surprising Dave by picking him up in a 1960’s bus Len takes motorcycle connoisseur Dave to see a special collection of over 100 restored motorbikes and both enjoy a ride on a classic Ariel Square 4. They sample an island favourite - a smoked kipper and throughout this nostalgia fest Len discovers that Dave’s original holiday on The Isle Of Man played a significant role in two of his lifelong passions, food and motorbikes.

Episode 2 (Tuesday)

In today’s journey through time, Len Goodman takes broadcaster and campaigner Esther Rantzen back to the Isle of Wight to relive her holiday as a 6 year old in 1946. Len helps Esther retrace her steps by visiting the coastal village of Bembridge where she and Len do a spot of crabbing, just as she did all those years ago. They enjoy a trip to Carisbrooke Castle to watch the daily demonstration of the donkeys who for centuries were used to draw up water from the castle’s 16th century well and Len surprises Esther with a chairlift ride which offers stunning views of the coastline. Along the way Esther reveals that her journalistic curiosity may have started during her time on the Isle of Wight.

Episode 3 (Wednesday)

In today’s journey through time, Len Goodman takes presenter Chris Hollins back to Oxford to reminisce about his holiday from 1988. Surprising Chris by picking him up in a classic Mini, Len takes him back to the university halls he would have stayed as a 17 year old and they tuck into the very full breakfast they would have enjoyed back in the day. The trip was part of a cricket tour so Len surprises Chris by inviting some of the friends from his holiday back to Oxford to play a few overs; they take part in a game called Spoof where the loser would have to eat a very hot chilli and Oxford wouldn’t be Oxford without a civilised punt down the river.

Episode 4 (Thursday)

In today’s journey through time, Len Goodman takes celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott back to Blackpool to reminisce about his seaside holiday from 1974. Surprising Ainsley by picking him up in a vintage Mercedes saloon, Len takes Ainsley on the world famous Big Dipper rollercoaster, they go back to the Winter Gardens where he saw his Dad perform on stage for the very first time and they both enjoy a traditional serving of fish and chips. Along the way we get some real insights into Ainsley’s career and we delve into what made this holiday so memorable.

Episode 5 (Friday)

In today’s journey through time, Len Goodman takes sporting superstar Fatima Whitbread back to Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex to reminisce about her holiday of a lifetime in 1978. Surprising Fatima by collecting her in a 1970’s Vauxhall Viva Saloon Len takes Fatima back to the caravan park where she and her family stayed and her Mum, Maggie, reveals the background to how she came to adopt Fatima into the family. Len takes Fatima back to the local school field where she used to train and Len learns just how to throw the javelin - and it’s all in the hips. Finally, Len discovers Fatima’s competitive streak was just as prominent when they battle to catch crabs and then race them on the slipway just as she and her family did back in the famously scorching summer of '76.

Publicity contact: ED2