‘It was truly magical’ says TV star Fred Sirieix as he reveals ‘fantastic’ Irish experience while filming brand-new show

TV star Fred Sirieix has paid Ireland a glowing complement after a recent trip here, stating: “You have never experienced real hospitality if you haven’t been to Ireland before.”

The French star, who shot to fame following his role as maitre d’ on Channel 4’s First Dates, has a new show which sees him embark on a cycling adventure through the stunning landscapes of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Tour De Fred sees Fred making his way across several counties, including Dublin, Derry and Donegal.

He said: “I’ve been in the UK for 32 years and I’ve never really explored Ireland or Northern Ireland properly before, so it was a fantastic opportunity for me and I am grateful that I was able to see the country for what it really is.

“People always talk about the Irish people being so hospitable and welcoming, and you think it is a myth, is this true? Am I really going to find such welcoming and kind people?

“And you have never experienced real hospitality if you haven’t been to Ireland before. The people are just so friendly. 

“When we went to Derry we got the most incredible welcome – it was so warm, so uplifting and so genuine. People would see me in the street and just shout, ‘Hey Fred, welcome to our wee town’, and that was just incredible. I can’t wait to go back to Derry – it was truly magical.”

The 53-year-old said he has been cycling since he was two, and he commuted to work by bike in London. 

But it was a different experience completely here.

He said: “One of my first challenges in the series was in the Mourne Mountains, which are a mountain range in County Down and it’s quite hilly and steep. As we were going up, it was raining and there was wind and it was so cold so it was tough.

“This is what happens when you cycle and face the elements and its nature. It’s life and I love being in the middle of the world – I’m a bit of a naturalist like that.”

And he said he got to experience some great Irish moments. 

Fred explained: “I really enjoyed learning how to make potato bread. That was fantastic because it’s such a traditional way to cook, and it’s something that people don’t really do anymore and to make it so traditionally was fantastic. 

“We also went swimming in the Irish Sea in November which was brilliant. Of course it’s cold, but you just get in and do it. The sea is beautiful, and when you’re in the sea in November it’s a mad thing to do but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it.”

EAGER RETURN

And he said he is keen to do another series in the south next time.
“I’d love to go back to Northern Ireland, that’s for sure. But, I’d like to go to the Republic of Ireland.

The TV star said: “I’d like to be able to go around the whole island, because I have just discovered a portion of the North and there is so much more to discover there.”

He added: “I just hope people will enjoy it, and it will compel them to go and visit and experience it for themselves. We show quite a lot of Northern Ireland, and we speak to a lot of different people, and do so many different things.

“For example, I went weaving and it was such an experience to learn how to weave and to do it how people were doing it 300 years ago. It was so exciting and people were so excited about their job, they just loved it and that was so refreshing to see.”

• Tour De Fred: Northern Ireland starts at 2pm on Monday 3rd March, and airs daily until Friday 7th March on ITV and Virgin Media.