The male residents

Dancing legend, actor and entertainer Lionel came to the fore in the 1960s when, with his dance troupe, he appeared on television variety shows. He has appeared in a string of films, choreographed several films, written a musical, and hosted and appeared on a range of television programmes.

I asked some ex-pats whether they thought of India now as home, or if 'home' was still England. They all told me that India is home for them now

Lionel Blair

Despite being the oldest member of the group, Lionel says retirement is not a word in his vocabulary, and he refuses to give up work. He feels that he would take well to communal living but that he will miss his family and wife of 50 years.

Lionel is keen to go on a train journey to explore as much of India as possible. He is also looking forward to trying yoga, exploring religion, and perhaps even visiting a guru to get in touch with his spiritual side.

What were your first impressions of India?

My first impression, when we got to where we were staying, was shock and horror at the dirt and poverty. However after a few days I found it a wonderful place, the friendliness and happiness of the local people was infectious, and Dennis Taylor found a tailor who could copy a shirt or a pair of trousers in a day, which helped me with my shopping addiction!

Tell us about some of your favourite moments.

The Indian wedding was fantastic. The music, decorations and excitement were all spectacular and we were made so welcome. We also went to a theatre performance with Indian actors which was amazing. On the way out I met an English couple who had come to India after seeing the Real Marigold Hotel series last year! I asked some ex-pats we met whether they thought of India now as home, or if 'home' was still England. They all told me that India is home for them now.

What did you learn from the experience?

All the different religions seem to live together in perfect peace and harmony. My favourite time was staying on a boat on Vembanad lake, it was so peaceful and quite beautiful. I was deeply moved by the 6am ritual at the sea shore, where the families and priests pray for their departed loved ones.

Actor Paul is best known for his character Vince in the BBC series Just Good Friends, which aired in the 1980s; being the first to play Jesus in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, and, more recently, for starring in Eastenders.

I marvelled at the older members of our group who were up for everything

Paul Nicholas

Paul is fascinated by music, dance and theatre - and while in India he is keen to go to an Indian wedding and wants to explore the arts. Paul has a great appetite for learning about India. He’s very interested in the divide between rich and poor so would like to meet people who have escaped from poverty to understand how they did it.

Tell us about your favourite moment of the experience.

I enjoyed the Hindu wedding, which was a very colourful and happy occasion, very much the marriage of two families. I enjoyed dressing in traditional Indian clothes and great to be part of a special day for the bride and groom. The music, colour and tradition made it a wonderful day.

What can Brits learn from Indian culture?

The Indian people are very family orientated and seem to have a lot of time and respect for the older members of society. Most families have their parents and relatives living with them. There aren't as many care homes so the elderly remain part of the family and continue to be involved with all aspects of family life.

What did you think of the rest of the group and others you met?

I marvelled at the older members of our group who were up for everything and who remained as alert and fun as they always were. A terrific example of how to live life to the full and not be constrained by the years.

Bill is a wildlife presenter and comedian who first found fame as one third of The Goodies, an off-beat comedy series in the 1970s and early 1980s. In more recent years, Bill has promoted his lifetime passion for birds from the status of a hobby to a job, and presented wildlife programmes from around the world.

There were about 50 men painted as tigers, and I rather fancied joining them

Bill Oddie

Bill is an avid photographer and loves being outdoors. He’s been to India three times before to bird spot and see the wildlife, and on this trip he is looking forward to taking photographs of his discoveries. He is also very interested in Hindu art, visiting temples and shrines, and exploring Indian classical music.

What surprised you most about the experience?

Advertising hoardings. No brick is left uncovered. Most are adorned by masses of advertising for ayurveda herbal medicine that feature the local doctor beaming at the camera.

Tell us about one of your adventures.

I was invited to take part in a parade celebrating Tigers at the Puli Kali festival. There were about 50 men painted as tigers, and I rather fancied joining them. Alas, they had run out of tiger painters and I got a bloke who could only do lions! In fact he did a fine job painting a lion on my bare belly, which he considered an ideal canvas.

I joined in the parade, dancing, singing and being feted by the crowd as "the only white man who has taken part". At the end I was being cheered and was being given high fives! When it was time to leave and we got in our car, a vital question struck me: how do I get the make-up off? Our driver suggested paraffin, turpentine or white spirit, none of which I had packed! So our driver disappeared for five minutes and came back with a plastic bottle full of something that looked like water, but presumably wasn’t.

That night I was truly weary. I went up to my room and spent half an hour scrubbing and wiping. I went to bed but an hour later I awoke with a dry mouth. I reached out to the bedside table, grabbed a bottle of clear liquid, gulped down half the bottle until I realised that it wasn't water, it was paraffin! I fell back to sleep wondering if I would ever see the dawn..

Do you see India as somewhere you could live?

I have visited it four times now, and I truly believe everybody should go there if they can. There is much to be entranced and intrigued by, but I did find the noise annoying. Traffic rattles around day and night, with motor horns honking ceaselessly, interrupted frequently by the yells and protests from intrepid pedestrians trying to cross the road, presumably to be heard above the traffic. Added to which, I like my bit of London!

Snooker champion Dennis, originally from Northern Ireland, came to prominence after winning the Snooker World Championships in 1985 and the Masters in 1987. Dennis now commentates for BBC tournament broadcasts and is a regular guest on sport panel shows.

I was the first professional snooker player to visit the (Ooty) Club and play on the actual table where the game was invented

Dennis Taylor

Having visited India 30 years ago for snooker competitions, on his return Dennis is interested in finding out about ex-pats in India and how much the country has changed in three decades. He is particularly keen to finally visit the birthplace of snooker, at the famous Ooty Club.

Tell us about your favourite moment of the experience.

Going to the Ooty Club in Ooty with Paul Nicholas. This is where the game of snooker originated in 1875! I was the first professional snooker player to visit the Club and play on the actual table where the game was invented.

Do you see India as somewhere you could live?

I could see myself spending some time there - there are some beautiful parts. Living in Ooty would be magnificent, where the climate is wonderful, especially as it had a golf course.

How did you find living with the rest of the group?

I got on fantastically well with everyone - they were a great bunch to spend four weeks with. I've definitely made a good friend in Paul Nicholas.