Our Shirley Valentine Summer will see Melinda Messenger, Sian Lloyd, Nancy Dell’Olio, Aggie MacKenzie, Ninia Benjamin, Lizzie Cundy, Annabel Giles and Ingrid Tarrant escape to a Greek island for the summer – rediscovering themselves and even looking for love. Under the glow of the Mediterranean sun the cast will live together under one roof, as they discover the islands, the challenges of communal living and the ups and downs of dating.
They are all single and at a crossroads in their lives. All of them harbour a passion to try something new or pursue long held dreams in an attempt to transform their lives, for the better. Sharing a desire to work out what to do with the next chapter of their lives, some want the opportunity to learn a new skill or test drive a new career.
Each of the ladies has a personal goal, for example, overcoming a marriage breakdown, losing weight, building self-confidence and many of them will spend time dating. For some, it could be their first date in a decade, whilst others are looking for someone special to spend the rest of their lives with.
From the makers of The Real Marigold Hotel, Twofour, this feel good series captures the beauty of the Greek Islands: the people, the colours and the way of life, as this group of brave women explore what else life can offer them.
In the first episode the cast of eight single well known women begin to reveal their hopes and dreams for their month living together; Lizzie Cundy is desperate to find love again, Annabel Giles is seeking joy and adventure, and as an advocate for sex in your sixties, Aggie MacKenzie is excited about starting the next chapter of her life.
Determined to get stuck into island life, Melinda Messenger starts to fulfil her dream of living off the land and Lizzie is smitten by a Greek language teacher who asks her out on a date. After Ingrid Tarrant reveals the details of her marriage breakdown and in the hope of meeting the man of their dreams, some of the group follow in the footsteps of an ancient Greek tradition and meet a third generation matchmaker.
Nancy Dell’Olio declares that she will be his biggest challenge and Ninia Benjamin reveals her last long term relationship was 20 years ago. Their first week together culminates in a trip to the neighbouring island of Paros, a mecca for those seeking inner peace. The local guide takes a shine to Sian Lloyd and some of the group take part in a rather revealing dance meditation session.
Our Shirley Valentine Summer starts on ITV1 on July 19 at 9.30pm.
