AS Uncle Bryn in Gavin & Stacey, Rob Brydon famously delivered a sensational cover of Islands In The Stream with Ruth Jones.
Now he is getting the chance to indulge his real-life love of country music in a new three-part show for BBC Two.
Rob Brydon’s Honky Tonk Road Trip will see him journey around America’s southern states to discover the genre’s origins.
As the show was announced, he said: “I’ve always loved country music but never really delved too deeply into it.
“The current resurgence means it’s the perfect time to head over to Nashville and find out more. I can’t wait to immerse myself in this fascinating world of music.”
On his adventure, to be shown in September, Rob will meet celebrities, hang out with locals and submerge himself in the way of life.
As well examining country music’s origins he will also look at the secrets to its popularity and what led to its recent global resurgence.
Naturally, Rob kicks things off in Nashville, which is celebrating 100 years of The Grand Ole Opry — the city’s famous music show that is synonymous with country.
Then he wll head to Kentucky as well as Bristol, Tennessee, to meet singer-songwriter Carlene Carter.
She is the granddaughter of Carter Family founding member and country music pioneer “Mother” Maybelle Carter.
Rob goes on to meet Dolly Parton‘s niece Heidi in theme park Dollywood, as well as stopping off in other key spots including Alabama, before returning to Nashville.
Rob really should have taken Ruth with him on this trip.
lIf you can’t wait until September, Radio 2 presents its Radio 2 Loves Country season this weekend, including coverage of the Country 2 Country festival on Sunday.
GOT YOUR PROTECTION, OFFICER?
SHARON HORGAN had better not watch Protection when the cop drama drops on Sunday night – she might get an attack of the green-eyed monster.
The writer and actress is said to have “grown close” to actor Barry Ward after they worked together on the comedy drama Bad Sisters.
But as DS Paul Brandice, he ramps up the heat in ITV’s new show, where viewers will have an eyeful of him getting seriously steamy with his co-star on the crime thriller, leading lady Siobhan Finneran.
In the six-parter, which continues on Monday night, Barry plays the lover of DI Liz Nyles, portrayed by Siobhan, who also shares the billing with Katherine Kelly.
Mixing her private and professional life as she fights to uncover the source of corruption in her unit, the witness protection officer treads a fine line that could end with the sack.
That’s when she isn’t in the sack, of course.
ALISON ‘COPTER TERROR
ALISON HAMMOND might not break sweat when interviewing Hollywood A-listers – but helicopter rides are a different matter.
The This Morning host has a crippling fear of choppers and once recorded a goodbye message to her son, fearing she wouldn’t survive a rare flight.
She said: “I’ve got a real, massive, fear of helicopters. I always think I won’t survive. I was so fearful I asked my make-up artist to film me doing a video to my son.”
It was shown during her appearance as team captain on Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, which airs on Sky Max tomorrow. Alison says: “Hi Aiden, it’s only Mummy here.
“If you’ve seen the message it means I didn’t make it back but I just wanted you to know I love you so very much. I didn’t really want to go on the helicopter anyway, so I’m actually fuming.”
A luxury limo is far more Alison’s style.
JOHN IN ‘FLASHING’ DEFENCE
TORCHWOOD and Doctor Who actor John Barrowman has had another go at explaining the on-set behaviour that led to him being “blacklisted” in TV.
He says that allegations he flashed on the BBC shows were “misconstrued” and it was just “a bit of a carry on”.
And he tells STV’s Scotland Tonight that the sets were meant to be closed.
John says on tonight’s programme: “If I was in a nude scene, completely naked, and if somebody walked on set, which they weren’t supposed to, I might just do something like that [jiggles] and it was nothing outrageous.
“I didn’t see it as outrageous. It was a different time.”
(@The_Forty_Four) 
