BBC Two has announced a new travel documentary series, The Real Marigold Hotel.

Inspired by the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel movies, the three 60-minute episodes will document the authentic experience of eight famous senior citizens as they head to India on an experimental adventure.

The all-star line-up includes Doctor Who actor Sylvester McCoy, actress Miriam Margolyes OBE, dancer Wayne Sleep OBE, comedian Roy Walker, chef Rosemary Shrager, darts champion Bobby George, singer Patti Boulaye OBE and former news reader Jan Leeming.

Controller of BBC Two, Kim Shillinglaw, commented: “In 2016, BBC Two will be tackling a number of contemporary issues, from the black economy to low pay, with lively, entertaining new programmes with real purpose. I’m delighted to be kicking off with this warm and very funny experiment examining how we spend our older years. With a terrific line up of characters, The Real Marigold Hotel is both entertaining and incredibly moving and raises some big questions about the way we live the later part of our lives.”

Sylvester McCoy says his role in the group is “to raise a smile, and play the spoons!”

The Hobbit actor added: “I dined with kings, drank cocktails with Maharajas, but best of all was dancing with puppeteers in the slums of Jaipur.”

Four thousand miles from home, the group will land in colourful Jaipur, capital of the state of Rajasthan in Northern India, to test whether they can set up a better, more rewarding retirement here than in the UK.

In the scorching heat, the group will take over a haveli – an Indian private mansion – and from the moment they arrive they will have to work out how to set up home together: from who’ll cook and clean and whether they will hire staff, to how they will get around and spend their time.

Their unforgettable Indian adventure will see the group fully embrace Indian culture, from the surprises of the capital’s largest slum to meeting Jaipur’s Royal family at the opulent Rambagh Palace. As they settle into local life, members of the group will take to yoga and learn some Hindi, experience shopping in the hectic streets, hunt for potential properties and take advantage of the medical care. We’ll see them visit the Ganesh Chaturti festival, ride elephants, make a trip to one of the holiest Hindu cities in India, Varanasi, and also test out long-distance travel by embarking on a 150-mile trip to the jewel in India’s crown, the Taj Mahal.

The Real Marigold Hotel is expected to begin on BBC Two later this month.

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