As dream travel companions go, Stephen Fry takes some knocking.
Curious, clever and kind, many of us have a huge soft spot for this broadcaster who, among other things, has been hailed “the nation’s most wanted celebrity best friend”, our “dream train companion” and “the famous person we most want to go to a pub with”.
So it feels fitting that the ideal holiday companion, with his wit and warmth, should be seen hot-footing it around on foreign soil again, for his latest TV offering.
Called Stephen Fry In Central America, the series will see the actor, writer, comedian and presenter set off to discover more about some of the oldest civilisations on the planet.
As well as journeying through Mexico and the Central American Isthmus to the Pan-American border with South America, the expedition will see him take a white-knuckle ride on a zip wire, attend a donkey pageant and meet inmates at a women’s prison in Tegucigalpa, Honduras’ largest city.
“Obviously, I looked the areas up and got some books, but the one thing you can’t get from books and the internet is a sense of the people,” explains 57-year-old Fry of preparing for the journey.
“In the end, that’s always going to be what’s fun and interesting and different to all the other characters you meet. And the culture.
“I always say there are some things that tell you more about a country than anything else, and they are the music, the food and the humour,” adds the London-born star, who studied English literature at Cambridge, where he got involved with the famous Cambridge Footlights drama club, along with long-time collaborator Hugh Laurie. “And Central America is pretty rich in all of those things.”
Fry himself is rich in qualities that make him such a hit with fans. Before his latest series begins, we explore some of those traits a little closer…
BOXING CLEVER
Accusations that culture is being “dumbed down” are rife, with reality TV, the internet and text speak often taking the blame for this social ill. And yet, even if money and quick fame are seemingly celebrated, and even if our collective grey matter is turning to mush, it’s heartening to see Fry, a Cambridge graduate and self-confessed “tech geek”, celebrated simply for being clever.
CLASS ACT
Despite having numerous writing, radio and presenting commitments, Fry – who married husband Elliott Spencer earlier this year – still finds the time to act, taking on a humorous role as the greedy Master of Laketown in the latest Hobbit movie, and in upcoming comedy film The Brits Are Coming, which also stars Uma Thurman and Tim Roth and is due out next year. But it’s his fantastically funny performances as blustering General Melchett in series two and four of Blackadder, and as valet Jeeves, opposite Hugh Laurie’s Wooster, that he is best remembered.
THE VOICE
Bedtime stories are great in theory, but in principle, they’re not always viable. Kids (nor adults, for that matter) needn’t miss out, however, thanks to Fry’s melodious narration on the Harry Potter audio book series. Happily, he’s about to win a new generation over too, when he voices spy Colonel K in the remake of 80s cartoon Danger Mouse.
WHAT’S UP DOC?
One of Fry’s greatest strengths is as a documentary maker. As well as being the consummate companion in travelogues, he has shown his chops in documentaries about bipolar disorder and gay rights. Indeed, in his 2013 documentary series Out There, he swatted away insensitive and homophobic discussions elegantly and with trademark aplomb.
SPEAKING OUT
Fry, who has bipolar disorder and is president of mental health charity Mind, is not afraid to use his position for greater good, even if it means opening up about potentially painful and personal subjects. In 2013, he spoke to comedian Richard Herring about his suicide attempt the year before, and in a powerful and moving conversation, urged people to seek help when they’re struggling.
TWEET SUCCESS
An early adopter of new technology and gadgets, Fry’s presence is not to be reckoned with on Twitter, with some 11.2million followers and counting. His carefully observed tweets are shared and “favourited” the world over, and he is not afraid to put any naysayers or trolls in their place, with a deftly typed comeback.
RANTS
Besides the titbits of information and comedic sparring which make his BBC Two panel series QI a great watch, it’s when Fry goes off on a tangent that the show really comes alive. During QI’s 12-year tenure, he’s ranted compassionately and passionately about everything from bullying to Muhammad Ali’s fighting prowess, mediums who claim they can communicate with the dead and his hatred of people who declare themselves “natural leaders” on their CVs.
Stephen Fry In Central America begins on ITV on Thursday, August 27.