5 Sets Sights on The Grand Tour with Tom Read Wilson (W/T)

LONDON, Tuesday 10th June 2025: 5 today announce the commission of brand-new three-part travelogue series, The Grand Tour with Tom Read Wilson (W/T), produced by Honey Bee and Motion Entertainment, a WPP Media Company.   

The Grand Tour with Tom Read Wilson (W/T) embarks on the traditional European ‘grand tour’ of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries when it was fashionable for wealthy British families to send their children on a tour of Europe designed as a cultural coming of age. These young aristocrats were immersed in art, history and culture as a rite of passage before they returned to Blighty ready to take their place in High Society.   

With his unique style, Tom Read Wilson will follow in their footsteps embracing the historical and cultural essence of yesteryear. Throughout his Grand Tour, Tom will be educated in the finest of dining skills and etiquette, his teacher, a Parisian Countess with familial links to Marie Antoinette. Fencing and Sculpting will be a few of the more physical skills, like those callow youths before him, he’ll also need to be mastered on his journey of enlightenment.   

En route from Paris to Rome, he will navigate the treacherous Alpine crossings, before arriving in Venice and donning a bejewelled mask for the world famous Carnevale di Venezia an unmissable event for the Grand Tourists - and a way for the aristocratic classes to indulge in hedonistic pleasure – before straightening his collar and heading to the art galleries of Florence, and the architectural wonders of Rome.    

Through lyricism, poetry, and history, The Grand Tour with Tom Read Wilson (W/T) will delve into paintings, sculptures, buildings, and landscapes, gaining a profound understanding of the lives of the young aristocrats who enriched their experiences centuries ago. Along the way, Tom will document his journey by recording on his Super 8 camera, offering a modern-day perspective on four centuries of culture, history, and change.   

On filming this series, Tom Read Wilson comments: “The route of the Grand Tour is dotted with enchantments of every kind: romantic, artistic, environmental, and culinary! It is a path I have always longed to tramp. I am so happy to be able to embark on such an historic continental voyage with 5.” 

Kit Morey, Commissioning Editor, Unscripted, 5 adds: "We are delighted to bring The Grand Tour with Tom Read Wilson to our 5 audience. This series promises to be a captivating blend of historical exploration and cultural immersion and with Tom's distinctive charm and insightful storytelling, this is without doubt a fresh and engaging perspective on the history of leisure travelling."   

Ros Edwards, Executive Producer, Honey Bee says: "The Grand Tour with Tom Read Wilson is a joyous journey of cultural enlightenment that combines the spirit of adventure with beauty and art through the prism of Tom’s charming storytelling. The team at Honey Bee, Tom and Kit have poured their hearts and souls into making this an enriching and delightful series."  

The Grand Tour with Tom Read Wilson (W/T) was commissioned for 5 by Kit Morey, Commissioning Editor, Unscripted, 5, with Ros Edwards and Ed Taylor as executive producers for Honey Bee. The series is directed by Alex Girardet, produced by Anabel Fairclough and executive produced by Martin Oxley, Head of Formats and Entertainment (UK), Motion Entertainment, a WPP Media Company..   

ENDS   

For further press information please contact: Kate Killgour | kate.killgour@paramount.com    

NOTES TO EDITORS 

About 5 

5 is the home of award-winning content from the UK’s third largest commercial PSB, a culmination of the creative transformation of Channel 5 over more than a decade. 5 is part of the Paramount Global family of brands.      

Through a mix of live TV channels and bingeable boxsets, the free-to-air service allows UK audiences to watch or stream the breadth of programming from Channel 5 – including Milkshake!, its dedicated preschool brand – and a wide selection from the wider Paramount family of brands, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Paramount+ and more.     

In keeping with its PSB remit, 5 tells the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK, featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent. Its programme roster spans original UK drama, premium factual, true crime, science, news & current affairs and kids’ content, which continue to attract critical acclaim.     

Recent wins include BAFTA Television and RTS Awards for the documentary White Nanny, Black Child in 2024, along with a BAFTA nomination for Endurance Race to the Pole. Factual hit The Yorkshire Vet and the broadcaster’s series on air fryers also won RTS Yorkshire awards, while Michael Palin received the Radio Times Special Judges Award for his Channel 5 documentaries.