The female residents

Actress Amanda first found fame starring in the Carry On films, most notably as the star of Carry On Cleo, before spending 13 years appearing on the soap Coronation Street.

India was so beautiful but... I couldn't retire there

Amanda Barrie

Amanda has never been to India but has always been fascinated by it, and admits that she and her wife have seriously considered moving abroad, possibly to India. She wants to explore the country’s attitude toward life, to find out what people there believe, and in particular what their attitudes are towards sexuality.

Amanda likes the idea of gathering local knowledge and she is interested in communal living. The star says she would love to buy a mansion with a group of friends and live together, so that she is never alone and they can all support each other.

Tell us about a funny moment in the trip.

Lionel Blair doing a spectacular dance - then when he got to the end his trousers fell down!

What surprised you most about the experience?

The utter pleasure I got from being around that group of people and also the opportunity to be among my contemporaries, we just laughed so much together.

Would you seriously consider retiring to India?

I loved India, particularly the people who were a joy. India was so beautiful but I must say unfortunately I couldn't retire there, the hot climate was too much for me.

American soul singer and actress Sheila is the former lead singer of 1970s girl group The Three Degrees. She has since had a career on stage and television in the UK, starring in numerous musicals and soul legend tours, as well as publishing a successful cook book on soul food.

I will never lose touch with some of them - specially the lovely chap who took me to dinner!

Sheila Ferguson

Originally from Philadelphia USA, Sheila has lived in the UK since 1980 but currently lives on her own on the Balearic island of Mallorca, and wonders whether communal living in India will offer her an alternative - or prove too much for her.

Sheila says she survives on sex, food and reading, and she is looking forward to learning about Indian cooking and exploring new relationships. She is keen to meet a man in India or even join a singles club to find a date.

What was your role within the group?

I think my role was that of a now-single woman, looking to find new love, or a new life that would be more satisfactory than the way that I have been living since my partner, who was 25 years my junior, died eight years ago.

I believe I will come across as very self-sufficient, capable of fending for myself, accustomed to being on my own and not with a group of people. In Mallorca, I am alone 24/7 so I wasn't accustomed to compromising and doing group things!

I wake up when I want, eat what and when I want, do whatever I want, whenever I want. So before The Real Marigold Hotel, there had been no one else to take into consideration and no need for compromise, which I obviously had to do with my fellow celebrity friends, who are a lovely, warm group of people.

What did you learn about yourself?

I was reluctant to take part in the show at first. I felt I was too young and that my fans would object to seeing me as an old age pensioner. But I agreed, and how glad I am that I did so. Of all the experiences I have encountered during my lifetime, this one was the most significant. I learned and gained so much inner knowledge and peace of mind from being in India.

It made me address things that I had never allowed myself to think about before this trip. I gained insight into my life's journey (past, present and most importantly, my future). This was an issue that I had always swept under the table by being a workaholic. All I did was work, work, work. Now I have lost my fear of death (which was a biggie), as well as my fear of what I need to do to change my life, and all for the better.

Tell us about some of the people you met.

I immediately warmed to and became friends with Smita, the manageress of the hotel where we were based. She and I shared a great many things - the losses of our partners, our love of cooking and entertaining, our dress sense, humour, love for travelling, family and that we live away from our children. We also shared the same sense of loneliness that many other women feel after the loss of a partner.

The Indian people were extremely kind and forthcoming with their descriptions of the various places we were to visit. I will never lose touch with some of them - specially the lovely chap who took me to dinner!

TV chef and entertainer Rustie was born in Jamaica and has lived in Birmingham all her life. She is well known for her recipes as well as for her vibrant personality and infectious laugh.

Some great friendships have been formed going on such an adventure together

Rustie Lee

Rustie first came to prominence in the 80s as the resident cook on the first dedicated breakfast TV network in the UK, TV-AM, and hosted ITV gameshow Game For A Laugh.

Rustie has never been to India, but has had thoughts about retiring one day to somewhere warmer and cheaper than the UK. Her grandmother was of Arawak Indian blood and her uncle married a Jamaican Indian. She is excited by the food in India and would love to shop for spices and learn how to cook like a local.

What did you enjoy most about India?

There were so very many happy times in India. I found the people to be so kind and generous of spirit, and even if they did not have much, they were happy to share what they had with us.

What was your role within the group?

I think I was always there for anyone who needed support and a shoulder to lean on. We all got on extremely well and supported each other. It was such a joy to spend time with such a diverse group of people. I believe that some great friendships have been formed going on such an adventure together, and I hope we get the chance to do something like this again as it was a truly enlightening experience.

Author and advice columnist Miriam has published more than 80 books and sold in excess of 25 million copies worldwide on conception, pregnancy and birth, childcare and development, women’s and family health. She currently writes three pages a week for the Daily Mirror newspaper.

Going away for a month with seven strangers wasn't high up on my list

Miriam Stoppard

Brought up in a Jewish Orthodox home, Miriam says she is now an atheist. However, she would like to explore her spirituality more in India. Miriam has visited India twice but feels she has barely touched the surface. She adores the country and feels that India is her spiritual home: the religions, philosophy, dance, music, culture and alternative medicine… all of it excites her.

Did the experience allow you time to reflect?

Yes, absolutely. Even while we were on our adventures there was time to reflect on Indian culture and the slow pace of Indian life. For instance, when we sailed up the backwaters in Kochi we were surrounded by calmness, tranquility and the simplicity of village life, so different from our hectic lives at home. Sipping tea at a tea plantation, high in the mountains with a view for many miles and miles was in strong contradiction to our frantic western way of life.

Do you see India as somewhere you could live?

Yes, absolutely. I’m deeply in love with India, its people, its culture, its food, its music, its dancing, and the Hindu gods and goddesses. I only have to hear a few bars of Indian music to feel tranquility creeping over me. Life in India is so varied that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

How was the rest of the group?

It was a privilege to be with the group - we got on so well. It seemed that we brought out the best in each other because everyone really liked each other. There was no friction, no bust-ups, we were all supportive of one another. Frankly, I was surprised, because going away for a month with seven strangers wasn't high up on my list.