In the Himalayas, James experiences Buddhism, tea, and heavy metal. Then to Kolkata, for his big break in Tollywood. And finally, on the mangrove islands of the Sundarbans, James braves bees and tigers to greet a very special new arrival.
Role: Self
James finds himself in the capital Delhi, where the heavens open and all the street food is fried. Then it's time to tackle some Indian icons: cricket, trains, and the Taj Mahal, before the majestic Varanasi and the mighty River Ganges.
Role: Self
James' epic journey starts in Mumbai with one of India's top comics. After meeting a Bollywood legend, James heads to Udaipur to fly kites before the wild and colourful celebrations of Holi, one of the Hindu calendar's greatest festivals.
Role: Self
All roads lead to Rome, so it was inevitable James would end up in Italy's magnificent capital. But it's not just Romans and ruins, James also goes on a bus, meets another version of himself, and looks at something too small to see.
Role: Self
Jeremy, Richard and James head for the icy wastes of the Scandinavian Arctic Circle. At the wheel of their three favourite rally cars the boys embark on a catastrophe-filled adventure that takes in Cold War submarine bases – frozen lake racetracks, crashes and ski resort chaos as they drag their homemade houses from the coast of Norway to the Russian Border.
Role: Self - Host
In the beautiful, rural south of the mainland, James is forced to confront a vision of hell courtesy of Dante's Inferno - and a goat that urgently needs milking. The Amalfi Coast offers some much-needed respite before he dives headfirst into the breathless, chaotic, sea of humanity that is the city of Naples.
Role: Self
James' journey begins on the sunny shores of Sicily, a fascinating island that's been fought over for millennia. Here, where cultures collide under the shadow of Mount Etna, James explores the simple pleasures that have sustained people for generations, such as chopping bits off statues, Canoe Polo, and bagpipes.
Role: Self
Arriving in Vietnam, Jeremy, Richard and James have to travel the entire length of the country in just eight days. But first they have to buy some suitable transport for the trip, and despite having several million Dong in their pockets, this proves to be rather more difficult than they expected, especially in one of the most expensive car markets in the world.
Role: Self - Host
Confined to the UK by Covid, Jeremy, Richard and James embark on a Lockdown Special to find out just why American 70s cars never took off in Britain. At the wheel of a Cadillac Coupe De Ville, a Lincoln Continental and a Buick Riviera in stunning Scottish surroundings, the three hosts undergo many mishaps and adventures before embarking on one of their toughest challenges yet.
Role:
The final leg of James’s journey from north to south finds him in Shikoku and Kyushu – the largest of Japan’s Southern Islands and a stunning paradise of blue water and semi-tropical sandy beaches. Cycling, archery, noodle making, and motorbike manufacturing are all in store, plus James is preserved for eternity in a creepy scarecrow village.
Role: Self
James arrives in Osaka, Japan’s vibrant good-time city, where Pachinko gambling halls, incredible street food, and stand-up comedy are all on the menu. Yujiro, his trusty guide, returns to introduce James to Sumo wrestling, after which James escapes on a bullet train to explore the mysteries of local hero Peach Boy. Then it’s on to Hiroshima and the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine.
Role: Self
In his epic journey across Japan from north to south, James leaves bustling Tokyo to travel to the ancient capital of Kyoto. Along the way he indulges his passions for motorbikes, Japanese cars and culture by painting Mount Fuji, tackling the Suzuka F1 circuit and taking a music lesson from a Geisha. It’s then time for a taste of the future as a confused robot shows James around Kyoto.
Role: Self
The cherry blossoms are out, and James hits the streets of Tokyo with his new guide Yujiro. As James discovers, this unique city is home to some of Japan’s greatest eccentrics and ideas. From obsessive trainspotters, musicians and baffling hi-tech gadgetry to cat superfans, penis festivals and mind-blowing computerised art shows, James tries to understand what makes Japan tick.
Role: Self
James arrives on the main island of Honshu, and the beautiful region of Tohoku. He seeks inspiration with a mountain expedition and naked plunge with a friendly wandering monk, battles giant robots, becomes a samurai, gets adopted by some local J-Pop sensations, before embarrassing himself and his hosts on the world’s most luxurious train.
Role: Self
James begins his epic journey across Japan on the icy northern island of Hokkaido, throwing himself head first into the physical demands of dog sledding, snowball fighting and the baffling struggle of ordering noodles from a Japanese vending machine. Despite all that, there’s still time for octopus fishing and learning the art of samurai sword making.
Role: Self