What is Rob and Rylan's Passage to India?
Last year, barrister and presenter Rob Rinder and DJ and TV star Rylan teamed up to present Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour. The series, which saw the two retracing the ‘grand tour’ to Italy taken by British aristocrats in the 18th and 19th centuries, proved to be a hit, even winning a BAFTA for Best Factual Entertainment. The duo are now reuniting to travel further afield – drawn, like millions before them, to the unique history and culture of India.
In 1912 the writer E. M. Forster – Rob Rinder’s literary hero – journeyed to the subcontinent. The result was A Passage to India, a classic novel which captured the country at the beginning of the decline of the British Raj. On their new journey, the two retrace Forster’s footsteps to see how India’s history is reflected in its art and culture.
In the first episode, Rob and Rylan visit Delhi. They see the city's sights, including the 16th-century tomb of Emperor Humayun, which inspired the Taj Mahal, and the India Gate - a memorial to the Indian soldiers who died fighting in the First World War and a legacy of British imperial rule. They also meet a diverse cast of characters who embody modern India, including reality TV star and art collector Shalini Passi, rapper and Dalit rights’ activist Naveen Kumar, and openly gay politician Anish Gawande.
When is Rob and Rylan's Passage to India on TV?
The first episode of Rob and Rylan's Passage to India will air on BBC Two at 9pm on Sunday 14 September 2025, with two more episodes showing in subsequent Sundays.
Who is Rob Rinder?
Rob Rinder is a barrister famous for presenting the TV courtroom show Judge Rinder. He traced his family history on Who Do You Think You Are? in 2018 and has presented more history TV shows, including Rob Rinder: My Family, the Holocaust and Me and Britain Behind Bars. He was also a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.
Who is Rylan?
Rylan Clark, known as Rylan, is a former contestant on The X Factor and Celebrity Big Brother. He has presented TV shows including This Morning, Up Late with Rylan, and Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two and served as a semi-final co-commentator on the Eurovision Song Contest.
