Patsy Kensit concedes 'I struggled' as she opens up on biggest challenge of BBC Pilgrimage stint: 'I'm useless!'

Olivia Gantzer
Sun, 05 Apr 2026 04:00:01 +0000

Patsy Kensit has opened up about the physical challenges she faced during her appearance on BBC Pilgrimage, admitting the experience pushed her to her limits.

"I struggled," the actress revealed. "The other guys were so fast, just like goats. I'm useless in the cold."

The journey concluded with the group reaching the North Sea, where Ms Kensit was the sole participant who chose not to take the plunge into the freezing waters.

"Everyone got in the North Sea at the end, apart from me. And now I feel so bad," she confessed. "I could have at least paddled. It was just so freaking cold. It was a euphoric moment for everyone."

Despite missing that final moment, the actress and singer described feeling her journey had reached its natural conclusion after walking across to the island at low tide.

"My journey had ended. We'd walked across to the island when the tide was down," she recalled.

"I felt like I'd had my moment in the sand dunes, as it were. But I loved it.

"I'm really grateful to have done it. There's nothing negative I can say. We were treated and welcomed by everyone with such kindness. It was great."

Ms Kensit had been a devoted viewer of the programme before joining the cast, describing it as perfectly suited to her interests.

"I started meditating eleven years ago now and it took me on a really great path," Kensit explained. "I like to meditate every day. I like that I have a higher power to believe in as a Catholic, but I am also very spiritual."

Her faith extends beyond traditional boundaries, encompassing various spiritual beliefs.

"Whether it's Krishna, God, the Universe, whatever, I do have a belief in a higher power," she said.

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Ms Kensit had anticipated shedding some pounds during filming, but the reality proved quite different.

"I thought, 'oh God, I'm going to lose weight on the show.' We were fed so well, so I think I ended up gaining," she added, reflecting that the steep inclines were particularly punishing.

The pilgrimage fostered genuine connections between Ms Kensit and her fellow travellers, with the actress forming particularly close bonds with several cast members.

"Everyone was so kind. Ash, [Ashley Banjo] I've become really good friends with him," she revealed.

She went on: "Hermione [Norris], wonderful, just beautiful. And of course my relationship with the beautiful Tasha. She was just so sweet to me. And I love Jayne," Ms Kensit said. "And Hermione is just the woman that I want to be. She's just so fabulous."

Ms Kensit reflected on what became one of her most treasured memories from the entire experience, recalling a lunch break following an exhausting ascent.

"My happiest day on the shoot was one day in the middle, where we all stopped for lunch after this mammoth climb," she shared.

"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."