My Favourite ever ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’ but will Marco Pierre White offer more?

What an absolute coup for P&O. Primetime TV’s favourite duo Ant and Dec, live from P&O Britannia at peak viewing time, and wasn’t it a brilliant show! I can honestly say that I loved every minute of it, sitting grinning like a goon on my sofa, and yes I’m embarrassed to admit that I sang along with Peter Andre. There had been a huge build up to this show, not least on the previous episodes of Takeaway, as well as throughout the industry but it was always going to be a gamble – live TV from a cruise ship, I’m fairly certain that has never happened before. Thank goodness that apart from a few minor technical hitches everything went smoothly. I thought it was great that viewers were able to see some of the venues on board albeit crammed with passengers wanting to be a part of the action. The Headliners Theatre, Live Lounge, the Atrium, all of them looking sparkling and fantastic. Even the ships Captain Paul Brown joined in the fun. I defy anyone who watched it to say they didn’t enjoy the programme enormously and I’m dying to know how ITV plan to top this in the next series. It will take some beating for sure. This might be the start of something, other reality shows might follow in Ant & Dec’s footsteps – ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Off This Ship’ – actually, maybe not! I can’t imagine anyone wanting to leave a cruise ship. There is though more to come from Britannia, a series starting tonight on Watch channel, I think channel 109 on Sky. Battlechefs features the rather lovely, if not slightly intimidating Marco Pierre White who will be putting a group of minor celebrities through their culinary paces as they source local ingredients in ports of call and cook for the Captain and his VIP guests. It’s all been done before I know, but the Cookery Club on board Britannia will provide a stunning backdrop for the series along with introducing viewers to some of the beautiful ports that she docks in on her Mediterannean voyages. All this of course is fantastic advertising for P&O and let’s face it, they need to put themselves out there with stiff competition from the likes of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity in the UK market. Having sailed on board Britannia I can honestly say that she is a fantastic flagship for the P&O fleet and I’m sure that following Saturday Takeaway many more people will been keen to sail on her, she was looking fantastic! Of course, I shall be tuning in tonight, I do love a bit of Marco – and actually, having been lucky enough to meet him on board Britannia last year I can tell you that he’s a bit of a pussy cat really, infact a more charming gentle giant you have never met. Ant and Dec are lovely but I prefer my men a bit more rugged! You can call me for more information on 0800 408 6084 or email me at [email protected] – I’ll be happy to chat to you.

As always, Happy Cruising!

p.s. Did anyone spot Rob Brydon on Saturday night? Nor me! Maybe he only cruises on Oceana 🙂