Helen Lederer expressed a significant apprehension regarding potential public backlash during her participation in the seventh installment of BBC’s “Pilgrimage,” a televised journey through the Austrian and Swiss Alps.
The renowned comedian, actress, and writer – aged seventy – joined six other celebrities on this ambitious undertaking. The series, titled “Pilgrimage: The Road Through the Alps,” follows individuals from diverse religious and belief systems as they undertake a deeply personal exploration of faith and self-discovery. Participants include Daliso Chaponda, Harry Clark, Jay McGuiness, Jeff Brazier, Nelufar Hedayat, and Stef Reid.
As Lederer shared with GB News and other media outlets, her concerns stemmed from what she perceived as a heightened sensitivity in contemporary discourse: “I thought I’ll be cancelled.” She attributed this feeling to the potent influence of words and acknowledged a personal background – “from a culturally Jewish background, with a Jewish father and a Protestant mother” – that might invite criticism.
The core purpose of the pilgrimage was intended to provide support for individuals from mixed-heritage backgrounds, encouraging open discussion about sensitive topics. Lederer explained, “It’s alright to talk about it,” highlighting the potential therapeutic value of sharing experiences.
During the physically demanding trek, an unexpected bond developed between Lederer and Jay McGuiness, a former member of the band The Wanted. This connection proved particularly poignant as McGuiness grappled with profound grief stemming from the loss of his friend and bandmate, Tom Parker, who succumbed to a brain tumor in 2022.
McGuinness recounted a candid conversation with Lederer regarding Parker’s death: “I did get quite upset once, when I was chatting with Helen, I was talking about the passing of Tom Parker. And I had lots of anticipatory nerves, that that would probably happen at some point.” He described how Lederer offered a remarkably honest and supportive presence, blending genuine empathy with lightheartedness.
“It’s quite a nice way of eking out some of those things,” McGuiness added. “I cried more than I’ve ever cried on television. It’s a scary thing to think about, but with Helen, that was an interesting scene.”
The moment unfolded during a reflective discussion concerning mortality and spirituality. Producer Toni Williamson prompted McGuiness by asking, “just tell me, who do you want to talk to about this stuff? Who do you trust with that?” Lederer responded with openness, admitting, “I believe in God, I don’t know if I’m an A* Jewish person but I believe in him or her, whatever that is.” This forthright declaration resonated deeply with McGuiness, illustrating a profound respect for Lederer’s honesty and faith.
“There was a poignant conversation that I had, and I sort of felt it coming,” McGuiness explained later. “And Toni [Williamson, series producer] said ‘just tell me, who do you want to talk to about this stuff? Who do you trust with that?’ And I mean, Helen isn’t shy to say what she thinks, but there were times where she did hold her tongue and sort of looked at me and went, ‘you thinking what I’m thinking?’
“We were talking about life after death and what that even is and I was kind of surprised but loved that Helen said, just clear as day ‘I believe in God, I don’t know if I’m an A* Jewish person but I believe in him or her, whatever that is’. I really admire her and it just felt nice.”
