Programme Information

It's not the destination, it's the journey

Around The World In 80 Days

Tuesday 10 November on BBC ONE

• Programme copy
• Press pack

John Barrowman and Myleene Klass take over the baton as BBC One's Around The World In 80 Days challenge, raising money for this year's BBC Children In Need Appeal, continues.

Here, they tell Programme Information about their travels.

John Barrowman
Occupation: Torchwood and West End star
Number of days taken: 14

Best known for his role as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood, John Barrowman is an actor, singer and entertainer. As well as taking to the stage himself in the West End, John's talents have gained him a high profile on prime time television shows, and he has appeared as a judge on I'd Do Anything, Any Dream Will Do and How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

What inspired you to take up the Around The World In 80 Days challenge?

"For me I think it was a need, and that need is the key word. It's for Children In Need, for the kids, and if we can do anything that can help raise the profile of the charity and ultimately help raise money then we should do it. The icing on the cake was that we got to do a bit of travelling to help raise more money but I wanted to do it because it's a charity I believe in."

How much pressure did you feel knowing that another team were relying on you to be on time?

"I work really well under pressure, so when we hit a bump or hurdle I didn't freak or panic. Well I might freak out a little bit, but I don't panic in the sense of, 'Oh no, this is a dead end'. I might have an argument, I might have a bit of a row, but we'll find a way to get around it and move on."

What was the most unusual mode of transport you used?

"My favourite mode of travelling was in the electric car, because I'm a bit of a car nut. It was fantastic."

What new things did you learn about Myleene on your travels?

"I've known Myleene for a while now but I learnt that she is a great mum and a very savvy business woman. The one thing that was nice for both of us was that we got to know each other even better than we did before. I know that if I ever needed anything, and vice versa for her, we would be there to help each other."

Does Myleene have any annoying habit you want to share with us?!

"I think her annoying habits and my annoying habits gel well together. We both like to jump in with both feet."

What were your best and worst moments of the trip?

"There are loads of best moments. For instance, meeting the old woman, Carmen, who had lived in El Paso right by the wall which blocked off the border of Mexico to the United States, and she'd lived in that same house for years and years and she watched this wall being erected and she hates it, and she quietly told me that she helped people escape from Mexico to come into the US, which I felt was absolutely amazing. It was great hearing the stories from people and that's one thing that Michael Palin said in his journal entry for all of us – talk to the locals, do things you would never normally do.

"Difficult point was when we had to hitch a ride with a trucker in an 18 wheeler. It wasn't really the most comfortable."

How are your map reading skills?

"I'm a very good map reader."

How light did you manage to travel?

"Myleene and I watched the others with their one bag and we thought forget it. We had like bags each. We were both coming from other trips, so we were bag heavy!"

Tell us about the favourite place you visited.

"There are so many – I hate to choose but, if I were forced to, I would have to say when we sang in New Orleans. But again there's more then one, also going to the Colorado River had to be one of the big highlight moments. It was just absolutely brilliant."

What item was most valuable to you on your leg of the journey and why?

"The most valuable tool for me on the trip would have been my internet phone because we were able to sort things out with that phone. Even to the point when we were stuck somewhere and we didn't have a map or know where we were – I called my partner Scott in London who got on the computer and located us on the satellite."

What home comforts did you most miss on your journey and why?

"I travel a lot so for me I really missed my own bed, I missed my partner Scott and I missed my dogs."

How useful were Michael Palin's top tips?

"Myleene read them to me as we were driving on the first day, and the most important thing to me was to talk to the locals and experience things you haven't before."

What items did you pick up for auction on your travels?

"A pink tutu and handmade cowboy boots and other things. The big thing that I think is the best prize – I'm actually going to bid on it myself – is the diary. When I looked at it after we were done ... it's amazing ... there's going to be no other diary like it. Definitely the best auction item."

Were there any challenges with your relay handover?

"When we handed over the bag was interesting. We got into Memphis and the sat nav gave us different road directions because the roads have all changed in Memphis, so we were up against it, but we got there and when we walked into the diner, Josie Lawrence and Shane Richie were easy to spot – they were dressed as Elvis!

"When we received the bag we had to sit at the dock in Longbeach until three in the morning. The boat Bill and Louise were on arrived at 11, but customs had to clear everything and so it was 3am. Myleene and I actually fell asleep on top of a police car."

Myleene Klass
Occupation: TV and radio presenter
Number of days taken: 14

Myleene Klass is a mother of one and a talented musician, TV and radio presenter, author and designer. She has presented numerous shows for the BBC, from the live end-of-year show New Year Live to Saturday night series Last Choir Standing. Myleene has also released three hit classical albums, a diary on her pregnancy in the form of a book and designed her own range of baby clothes.

What inspired you to take up the Around The World In 80 Days challenge?

"A combination of everything. Love, travel – I'm almost addicted to it. Since having Ava I've become even more aware of how lucky I am to have what I have and live where I do. If you are lucky enough to have good things in life then I believe it's only right you give back ... the karma police are watching!"

How much pressure did you feel knowing that another team were relying on you to be on time?

"Weirdly, I thrive on pressure. During exam time at college, I always left things until the last minute and had to cram. I still do but find that pressure makes me strive and get on with the job in hand. I also discovered how enterprising John and I could be together so knew by hook or by crook, we wouldn't miss our deadline!"

What was the most unusual mode of transport you used?

"A hot-air balloon. I've always wanted to ride in one and, in the spirit of 80 Days, it seemed perfect."

What new things did you learn about John on your travels?

"Although I knew he'd be funny, what surprised me was his total honesty. With John, genuinely, what you see is what you get. He's also incredibly generous. You have to race him to pay for rounds and dinner! He just loves to make people happy. I adore him."

Does John have any annoying habit you want to share with us?

"Yes he does. No, I won't tell!"

What were your best and worst moments of the trip?

"Best – discovering a new part of the world with a great team and a good friend. Worst – seeing how pure geographical circumstances can alter and destroy lives. The thought that children go missing or are even killed in Mexico every day because of the hand their parents have been dealt is too much to bear."

How are your map reading skills?

"Good. My dad was in the Navy and ensured from a young age I could read a map or navigate a chart."

How light did you manage to travel?

"Not very light at all! In fact, en route, myself and John added to our already heavy load by sneaking off and buying paintings, shoes ... and more bags! I came home laden like a donkey."

Tell us about the favourite place you visited.

"Favourite place ... actually swimming in the Colorado River. It was such a hot day and the fact we could just jump in and cool off in what can only be described as picture perfect surroundings was so lovely.

What item was most valuable to you on your leg of the journey and why?

"Pudsey! We placed him on the dashboard of every vehicle we got in to remind us that, no matter how hard the journey got, there were children back home counting on us to do this and complete our task."

What home comforts did you most miss on your journey and why?

"My own bed. I'm used to hotel rooms with the job I do but not such a succession or quick turnaround."

Did you learn anything from the adventure?

"Whatever moans, groans and gripes you have, its almost a luxury to have the time to complain about them. In New Orleans, where the city lost pretty much everything, the people are so supportive of each other and positive as they want to put life back into their city, it totally rubs off on you. When you see the children of Mexico who have very little hope in their lives, it makes you re-evaluate your circumstances and attitudes."

How useful were Michael Palin's top tips?

"He is a wise, wise man! All his advice made perfect sense. Essentially, his message was, 'it's not the destination, but the journey' and how right he was. He also told us to have patience with people holding clipboards in authority and food-wise to try everything."

What items did you pick up for auction on your travels?

"Cowboy boots, cowboy hat, beads from New Orleans. Oh, and a pink tutu!"