Gavin And Stacey star Rob Brydon reveals the embarrassing realisation he had while filming new Traitors-style travel show

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Rob Brydon has revealed the embarrassing realisation he had while filming his new Traitors-style BBC travel show, Destination X.
The Gavin And Stacey star, 60, is stepping into new territory as host of the ambitious reality series, which combines elements of The Traitors and Race Across The World.
But while the premise is high-concept, Rob admitted that his biggest challenge came from something surprisingly simple - remembering how to walk as himself.
Recalling walking on the set of Destination X, he told The Sun: 'My first scene, I am walking into an airport, and I'm thinking, "Right, OK, how am I going to be?".
He continued: 'Because I've got a horrible walk. I walk like an ape. I walk side to side. So I'm thinking, "Try not to walk like an idiot".'
'It even occurred to me that I won't be sat behind a desk. I had to think, "How am I going to hold myself?".'
Rob is best known for playing the loveable Bryn West on Gavin And Stacey and for sitting behind the panel on the BBC quiz show Would I Lie To You? - so standing up and leading a fast-paced, globetrotting series is new ground for him.
Still, he soon found his rhythm on Destination X, which sees a group of strangers blindfolded at an airport, flown via helicopter, and then driven around Europe on a blacked-out bus.
At each stop, they take on challenges to win clues about where in the world they are.
At the end of each episode, they're asked one simple question: Where are we? The person whose guess is furthest off is eliminated.
He also admitted that Claudia Winkleman's performance on The Traitors was a big influence, as her ability to steer a complex, strategic format helped convince him he could try something similar.
While many actors might be wary of unscripted work, Rob said he enjoys the unpredictability and variety of presenting. He finds it refreshing - even if it means stepping outside his comfort zone.
One contestant in particular made a big impression on him - a London taxi driver named Darren.
Rob said it was touching how often he spoke about missing his wife and he could tell he was genuinely missing her.
Over time, the cast's relationships evolve, but as the competition intensifies, so does the sense of mistrust.
Each episode sees the players gathering in a map room on the bus to log their location guesses.
The differences in their answers can be drastic, even though they all receive the same clues - leading to dramatic eliminations and second-guessing.
Rob said it's fascinating to watch contestants convince themselves of the wrong answer, only to realise later how close they'd been.
He admitted that trying something so different is a risk and that no show is guaranteed to be a hit - but he's hopeful the heart of Destination X will resonate with viewers, especially families looking for something they can watch together.
As a father of five, Rob said he understands the value of TV that unites generations - and he hopes this show can become the kind of weekly event where everyone chips in with theories and guesses.
He also touched on why Gavin and Stacey was so special, because families would sit down together to enjoy it, which is increasingly rare today.
Looking ahead, Rob is hopeful of a second series or perhaps a celebrity spin-off.
But he jokingly insisted on one condition for future seasons: they have to include a stop in Wales, a cheeky nod to the beloved Gavin and Stacey location of Barry Island.
Destination X airs Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31 at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.