Renewed: The Real Marigold Hotel (aka The Indian Dream Hotel)

The BBC has confirmed a second season for The Real Marigold Hotel, which was titled as The Indian Dream Hotel in Australia.

The series featured UK celebrities heading to India to explore whether they can have a more fulfilling retirement than in Britain.

A second four part series will star entertainer Lionel Blair; actress Amanda Barrie, snooker champion Dennis Taylor; TV personality Rustie Lee; Doctor Miriam Stoppard; presenter Bill Oddie; singer Sheila Ferguson; and actor Paul Nicholas.

They will travel to Kochi, a city in the southwest Indian state Kerala, to also test whether they can set up a more rewarding retirement than in the UK.

A two-part Christmas special will also see Miriam Margolyes, dancer Wayne Sleep, darts champion Bobby George and chef Rosemary Shrager return to test out different retirement communities around the world, from Florida to Japan.

Charlotte Moore, Director BBC Content, says: “The first series was a big hit that connected with viewers of all ages in a really authentic and heart-warming way. It was entertaining whilst brilliantly enlightening which makes it the perfect fit for BBC One. It celebrates a big universal subject that we all care about and I’m looking forward to watching our new cast of characters explore India and reach an ever broader audience on BBC One.”