0:00:02 > 0:00:05Childhood holidays... Oh, ho! The anticipation seemed endless.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08The holiday itself...well, it was over too quickly.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12So, in this series, I'm going to be reliving those wonderful times
0:00:12 > 0:00:14with some much-loved famous faces.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17THEY SCREAM
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Every day, I'll be arranging a few surprises
0:00:20 > 0:00:22to transport them back in time.
0:00:22 > 0:00:28Oh, look! Ha-ha! It's just as I remember! Ha-ha!
0:00:28 > 0:00:29We'll relive the fun...
0:00:29 > 0:00:31THEY LAUGH
0:00:31 > 0:00:32..the games...
0:00:32 > 0:00:34- BOTH: Yes!- We got him!
0:00:34 > 0:00:37..and the food of years gone by...
0:00:37 > 0:00:38Yum...my!
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Welcome to 1959.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44- Total happiness.- Yes. Perfect.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46..to find out how those holidays around the UK
0:00:46 > 0:00:50helped shape the people we know so well today.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51Bruce Forsyth.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Yes, marvellous, Len, you're still my favourite.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57So, buckle up for Holiday Of My Lifetime.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00You know, Len, I'm quite enjoying being on my holidays with you.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Today, I'm riding high in Northern Ireland
0:01:05 > 0:01:08for my trip down memory lane in this little number.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11It's too old for seatbelts, but don't worry,
0:01:11 > 0:01:14I'm using my 53 years' driving experience
0:01:14 > 0:01:18to make sure I'm in one piece to meet today's mystery guest.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Top of the morning to you.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22I'm on my way to me in early riser
0:01:22 > 0:01:25who's been lighting up our screens for more than 25 years!
0:01:27 > 0:01:30He was born in Belfast in 1959.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Look at the wee little lad.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Like a little Irish charm.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36As one of five brothers,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40this little fella looked right at home in front of the camera.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44No wonder he was aiming high for a job on television.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48His career kicked off as a sports reporter,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50but it was when he crossed the Irish Sea
0:01:50 > 0:01:55that his career really started to rise and shine.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57He's just as comfortable on a sofa,
0:01:57 > 0:02:03behind a news desk or even giving out cash prizes on game shows.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07And now he's often seen on screen beside his lovely wife.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09While he might work with his missus,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12his first love is going to Old Trafford
0:02:12 > 0:02:15to see his beloved Manchester United.
0:02:15 > 0:02:16Go on, boys!
0:02:16 > 0:02:21Well, let's hope we're in for a real treat this morning.
0:02:21 > 0:02:22Get it?
0:02:22 > 0:02:26You know who it is! Ha-hey! It's Eamonn Holmes!
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Eamonn Holmes was born in 1959 to mum Josie
0:02:31 > 0:02:34and dad Leonard, a carpet fitter.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36And was the second oldest of five brothers.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40He studied journalism at Belfast College of Business Studies
0:02:40 > 0:02:43and started his career at Ulster TV
0:02:43 > 0:02:48where he hosted amongst other shows the station's Farming Ulster.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52In 1986, he moved across the Irish Sea
0:02:52 > 0:02:55where his career really did take off.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59And it wasn't long before he became prime-time viewing.
0:02:59 > 0:03:00Welcome to the Hard Spell final.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Over the last five nights, this is the show that has proved
0:03:03 > 0:03:05spelling really is compelling.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07He has many strings to his bow,
0:03:07 > 0:03:12but I guess we know him best for his 13-year stint on GMTV
0:03:12 > 0:03:17and now as co-presenter with his lovely wife, Ruth, on This Morning.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20I'm on my way to Larne on the East Coast of Northern Ireland
0:03:20 > 0:03:21to meet him.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24HE LAUGHS
0:03:24 > 0:03:26CAR HORN HONKS
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Oh, this is the deluxe version.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33HE LAUGHS
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- Welcome to Northern Ireland, Len. - Hey-hey!- Oh, my goodness me.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Do you recognise this?
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Well, this is more luxurious than we would have had.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48It's got some sort of extension up the top, but my goodness!
0:03:48 > 0:03:51HE LAUGHS
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- I haven't seen...- Good to see you. - I haven't seen one of these since...
0:03:55 > 0:03:56more...late '60s.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Well, I'll tell you what.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03- There's only 25 of these registered in the whole of the UK.- My word!
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- Still, what a lovely day. - Oh, gorgeous.- Ain't it gorgeous?
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Gorgeous. It's always like this in Northern Ireland.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Sun always shines.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Not when I've played golf, it doesn't.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14So, where are we going?
0:04:14 > 0:04:15Well, we are on the...
0:04:15 > 0:04:17This is the start of what's called the Coast Road
0:04:17 > 0:04:19and there's the most beautiful scenic -
0:04:19 > 0:04:21I mean, especially on a day like this -
0:04:21 > 0:04:23coastal drives that you will find anywhere in the world.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27Anywhere in the world! It's up there with the Pacific Coast Highway
0:04:27 > 0:04:29with the Garden Route in South Africa.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31- This is just going to be wondrous. - Yeah.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- And what's the year? - The year will be 1968.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Oh, right, that's when the Beatles and the Stones were in the charts...
0:04:38 > 0:04:41And Man United won the European Cup.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- Good, eh?- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45So, what do you reckon? Should we get in and have a go?
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- Lovely, try to.- Come on! - Hope we can get in, yeah.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50You need a hand, a man of your age?
0:04:52 > 0:04:55The Antrim Coast Road on the east coast of Northern Ireland is
0:04:55 > 0:05:01considered to be one of the greatest tourist trails in the world.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04The route starts at the Black Arch near Larne
0:05:04 > 0:05:10and continues about 25 miles north to the Red Arch
0:05:10 > 0:05:13near the village of Cushendall. It takes in rugged cliffs,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16spectacular scenery and unspoilt beaches along the way.
0:05:16 > 0:05:23The road was constructed between 1832 and 1842 by William Bald.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26He had the vision of building the road at the foot of the cliffs,
0:05:26 > 0:05:29therefore avoiding steep hills inland
0:05:29 > 0:05:33and providing stunning views of the coastline.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38It's a similar tour to the one Eamonn took in 1968.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40'Today, I'm taking him back there
0:05:40 > 0:05:45'to try and relive those wonderful memories. Enjoying the sights...'
0:05:45 > 0:05:47It jumped. I did see it.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50I wish it'd jump once more just to prove me.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52'..but not always the tastes...'
0:05:52 > 0:05:55That's like chewing old rubber, isn't it?
0:05:55 > 0:05:57- That's like car tyres.- Yes.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00'..scoring own goals...'
0:06:00 > 0:06:02HE CHEERS
0:06:02 > 0:06:05HE LAUGHS
0:06:05 > 0:06:07'..and getting one in the back of the net...'
0:06:07 > 0:06:09In here, you will be able to get trout. Look!
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- I just saw one!- Look, look!
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Well, we'd be able to get down there and hook these fish.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Before any holiday truly begins,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24first you must set out on a journey.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Whether by plane, train or automobile,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31we've all experienced those hours of anticipation,
0:06:31 > 0:06:36just waiting to get to the promised destination you've been dreaming of.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40It must have been especially exciting for eight-year-old Eamonn
0:06:40 > 0:06:42and his brothers as they hit the road,
0:06:42 > 0:06:47just as we're attempting to do today, in their dad's old work van.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Glad I'm not expected to drive it.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52OK, I'm trying to find second...
0:06:52 > 0:06:56Ah, there's second. I think on this Volvo. That's fourth.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- We're nearly there. - This may take a long time.
0:07:00 > 0:07:01VAN REVS
0:07:01 > 0:07:03That's nothing. Ah!
0:07:03 > 0:07:05That must be first.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Oh, yeah, you got a clunk.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Maybe, we should take the bus. HE LAUGHS
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- BOTH: We are off!- We're off and away. - We're off and running.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Hey-hey! So, how old would you have been when you went on this holiday?
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- I would have been eight. - Right.- Yeah.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23And how many of you would have been in this van?
0:07:23 > 0:07:24Us three, and mum and dad.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- There would've been five of us at that stage.- Right.- Yeah.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Well, I guess, this sort of thing was ideal, really,
0:07:30 > 0:07:34for going on holiday cos you could chuck everything in.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37There was no sort of careful packing.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41This van's kitted out like a camper van. Ours was a carpet van.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43My dad had... His van was called The Magic Carpet.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47It had a sign on the side of it and it was a works van.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50And...so what he would've had in the back for us
0:07:50 > 0:07:52was a roll of felt for us to sit on.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57Sometimes even have a chair or a sofa, a small sofa in there.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01And we could sit there and then, you know, your holiday case or whatever
0:08:01 > 0:08:03would have been in there as well.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06So, was it... Did you leave Belfast and was it in one hit you went?
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- Yeah...- You didn't stop halfway and have a cup of tea or something?
0:08:10 > 0:08:13We would. We would. We would. You could pull into the side.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15This was the days before mobile phones, of course,
0:08:15 > 0:08:19and I honestly can tell you if you pulled into a lay-by -
0:08:19 > 0:08:23and we would've had a little camper stop - you could have done tea.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26You could've done some mashed potato, sausage,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29something like that. And then...
0:08:29 > 0:08:32honestly, you would sit there and it wouldn't...
0:08:32 > 0:08:3615 minutes wouldn't pass before somebody you knew honked the horn
0:08:36 > 0:08:39and said, "Oh, there's Leonard and Josie. There's the carpet van,"
0:08:39 > 0:08:43or The Magic Carpet as they called it. And they would pull in.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46All this talk about food is making me hungry.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49With a few miles left before we arrive in Cushendall,
0:08:49 > 0:08:54I reckon it's time for a refreshment break 1968-style.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Well, here we are. This is what we would've had, was it?
0:08:57 > 0:09:02You know, my dad used to say, "Food taste better outside." It does.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Smells different...
0:09:04 > 0:09:07It was my introduction to instant mashed potato as well,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10which was easier to do than boiling. Well, we've got some of that.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13This is the posh version.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- Ooh, nice. - Who would've done the cooking?
0:09:15 > 0:09:16- Your mum, I guess.- Oh, Mum!
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Mum was great at everything, but...
0:09:20 > 0:09:22..it was really lovely
0:09:22 > 0:09:25and just the fresh air just made all the difference.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26Yeah.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Your name, it... Eamonn, that's a proper Irish name.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36When my mother had me, she, erm, she couldn't think of a name
0:09:36 > 0:09:40and there was a magazine beside her with Eamonn Andrews face on it.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45She said, "He's got curly hair, black curly hair like my wee Eamonn."
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- And she just called me Eamonn... - And there you are.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- Eamonn Andrews. He used to do all the boxing.- This Is Your Life.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- And Crackerjack.- Crackerjack.- Yeah.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Sometimes I think it's a wee bit prophetic
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- being named after Eamonn Andrews. - Well...- Maybe, meant to be.- Yeah.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Stick your fork in this, see if...if it...
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Oh, they're fine. They're...steam rising.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Ooh, yeah! Lovely. Just put it all on.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- You sure?- That looks brilliant.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15You see? And doesn't it taste better beside the sea air?
0:10:18 > 0:10:23- On the Coast Road?- With the s... The sea. Oh, let's try this.
0:10:27 > 0:10:28Oh, Eamonn.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30I haven't been outdoors since I was a kid,
0:10:30 > 0:10:32you know, sort of camp-fry like that
0:10:32 > 0:10:35and after you doing that today...
0:10:35 > 0:10:39I'm not going to do it again. HE LAUGHS
0:10:39 > 0:10:44Back in 1968, there was just one piece of reading material that
0:10:44 > 0:10:49an eight-year-old Eamonn and others like him would absolutely love.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Lovely. Have a seat.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56So, you'd be sitting in the back here playing games
0:10:56 > 0:11:00- and maybe reading a comic or so. - Yeah.- Well, just so happens...
0:11:00 > 0:11:04And we've got to be careful because we've borrowed these.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Oh, my word! Aye, yes, yes, yes.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Oh, and these are actually 1968. Korky The Cat.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16- We don't mess about on the show. - Yes, no, yes. Oh...
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Goodness me. Do you know, when I look at this and I see
0:11:18 > 0:11:20there's...there's just such innocence, man.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- If I showed this to my 12-year-old now, they'd laugh.- Yeah.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28Winker Watson. My God. Greedy Pigg. That could be for me that one.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30THEY LAUGH
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Greedy Pigg. Billy Whizz. Roger...
0:11:33 > 0:11:36I used to be Billy Whizz, now I'm more Greedy Pigg.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- Lord Snooty. - THEY LAUGH
0:11:39 > 0:11:43There's a couple you can't say anymore. Dirty Dick.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46THEY LAUGH
0:11:46 > 0:11:50When Eamonn and his family drove along the Coast Road in '68,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53little did they know that three months later
0:11:53 > 0:11:57a civil rights march in Londonderry, on 5th October,
0:11:57 > 0:12:01would be the catalyst to three decades of conflict.
0:12:01 > 0:12:07Over in England, the M1 motorway was finally completed
0:12:07 > 0:12:10and London Bridge was sold to American entrepreneur,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13who rebuilt it in Arizona.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Also in the States that year,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18on his election trail, Senator Robert Kennedy,
0:12:18 > 0:12:22younger brother of assassinated President John F Kennedy
0:12:22 > 0:12:25was also assassinated in Los Angeles.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27# What a wonderful world...
0:12:27 > 0:12:31In the music world, Louis Armstrong was at the top of the charts
0:12:31 > 0:12:34with What A Wonderful World.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39# To myself
0:12:39 > 0:12:43# What a wonderful...
0:12:43 > 0:12:44# World. #
0:12:44 > 0:12:46For Eamonn and his family, they knew
0:12:46 > 0:12:50they were just a few minutes' drive away from their final destination
0:12:50 > 0:12:55when they saw the Red Arch as they approached Cushendall.
0:12:55 > 0:12:56So, that's the Red Arch.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00When you come through that, you realise your next stop Cushendall.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03That's Waterfoot, next stop Cushendall
0:13:03 > 0:13:06and you smell the sea air and...
0:13:06 > 0:13:09It's a most picturesque area.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11It's just incredible.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16- And I guess as a child, you don't really appreciate that so much.- No.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20I always just remember it seemed as if there wasn't much to do,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22but there was everything to do
0:13:22 > 0:13:24because everything became an adventure.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27I guess this was like an escape from the Troubles
0:13:27 > 0:13:29and everything else to come here.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Yeah, and even industrial Belfast where the smells were different.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36I mean, the smell of coal in the air and smoke in the air
0:13:36 > 0:13:37and the smell down here was different.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40You had the smell of the sea. You had the smell of the grass.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43You had the smell of turf burning in fires.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51If, like Eamonn, you want sea air and countryside views.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53a drive along the Causeway Coastal Route,
0:13:53 > 0:13:57which runs between Belfast and Londonderry
0:13:57 > 0:13:59will give it to you in spades.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02And there are plenty of things to see and do along the way
0:14:02 > 0:14:06and here are ten of my best.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Ballygally Beach beside Ballygally village
0:14:09 > 0:14:13near our starting point of Larne is 200m long
0:14:13 > 0:14:16and is sandy with seaweed and boulders.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19There are great views in all directions
0:14:19 > 0:14:24whether looking towards the Antrim Coast and its dramatic headlands
0:14:24 > 0:14:28across the sea to Scotland or inland to the Antrim Hills.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32The Glens of Antrim is a region of County Antrim.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Famed in poetry, song, myth and magic,
0:14:36 > 0:14:41there are nine glens and each is endowed with an evocative name
0:14:41 > 0:14:44and weaves its own special kind of magic.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49Glenariff, the Queen of the Glens, is one of the nine Antrim Glens
0:14:49 > 0:14:52and home to beautiful waterfalls.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55The Waterfall Walkway at Glenariff Forest Park passes
0:14:55 > 0:15:00through a National Nature Reserve and the three waterfalls
0:15:00 > 0:15:05offering amazing views and relaxing riverside walks.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09We might only be a hop, skip and a jump away from Cushendall,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12but now I've got my Morris J2 into gear,
0:15:12 > 0:15:16I've just got time to find out what drove Eamonn towards the career
0:15:16 > 0:15:17he has today.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Did you have any ideas of what you wanted to do
0:15:22 > 0:15:26when you left school or what you wanted to do when you grew up?
0:15:26 > 0:15:30When I left primary and got into secondary school,
0:15:30 > 0:15:32the Troubles were beginning to boil.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34They were really beginning to happen.
0:15:34 > 0:15:391971 I went to grammar school and within a short space of time
0:15:39 > 0:15:42because I was really quite deprived of my teenage years,
0:15:42 > 0:15:46there would have been no sort of thing as going to a local youth club
0:15:46 > 0:15:48or going to the sort of dancing lessons
0:15:48 > 0:15:49and having the sort of freedoms
0:15:49 > 0:15:51that somebody like yourself would have had.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54You stayed indoors and you watched television.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57And television educated me to a large degree.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59And I knew from 11...
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Well, I wished from 11 that I wanted to be a journalist
0:16:02 > 0:16:05and specifically, I wanted to be a television journalist.
0:16:05 > 0:16:06I wanted to be a broadcast journalist.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08After a stint in retail,
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Eamonn finally made it to journalism college.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15I took on about four jobs a day to pay way through.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17And...
0:16:17 > 0:16:20there's no day I really go to work and it feels like work
0:16:20 > 0:16:23because it's what I wanted to do from when I was 11
0:16:23 > 0:16:27and it's such a privilege to be able to do what you want to do. Yeah.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Cushendall was a great place,
0:16:31 > 0:16:32not just for children,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35but teenagers who used to spend their summers there.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Husband and wife Brendan and Marie remember hanging out there
0:16:39 > 0:16:40as teenagers in the '60s.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47We used to gather outside Hamel's Cafe,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50where the jukebox was on the corner in Cushendall.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54And we'd play all the sounds of the '60s there.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Sit out on the pavement and listen.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01I would have been probably one of the more modern-type dressers
0:17:01 > 0:17:04with a cravat and backcombed hair
0:17:04 > 0:17:08and all that sort of thing, you know.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11And platform...platform soles and everything else.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14You seem to have spent the '60s either listening to music,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17dancing to music or going to the cinema.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20And if you weren't doing that, you were away buying something,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22so you could wear it to the next dance.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Part of the magic of any childhood holiday
0:17:26 > 0:17:30is the excitement of staying somewhere new.
0:17:30 > 0:17:36The sights, sounds and smells of those hotels, motels and campsites.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40For Eamonn and his family what was originally called
0:17:40 > 0:17:43The Thornlea Hotel became home from home.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Well, Eamonn. Hey!
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- It's a bit yellow. - Yes, certainly yellow.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- I guess it wasn't yellow your time. - No. This was a house.
0:17:54 > 0:17:55You can see there is an extension on here,
0:17:55 > 0:17:58but the original house, it was white.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01- Yeah.- I remember that. But it's much bigger than we remember.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03- Yeah, so, it's changed on the outside.- Yeah.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Well, I'll tell you what.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- Let's go in and see if it's changed much on the inside.- OK.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13In the old hotel, Eamonn and his family would have had the room
0:18:13 > 0:18:14at the top of the stairs.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- Here we go.- Here we come.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21- Wow!- See?
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Well, there are steps.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Yes, but this would've been...this would've been two steps. Yes.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28You see, they've built this up differently.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31And this would have been the original door.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33This would've been the door, room nine.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36And this would've been in here and...
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- and this is it.- Yeah.- This is it.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- Would this have just been your mum and dad's room?- I can't remember.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- I think it was us. I think we were all in here.- Was it?
0:18:46 > 0:18:49There must've been... Well, there must have been two rooms.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52We...we were in here. No, us kids, we were definitely in here.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54So, the three of us would have been in here.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57And Mum and Dad would've had another room.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59That would have been a novelty - a TV.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Absolutely no TV for the two weeks that you were here.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05And I suppose as a kid, you were addicted.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Oh, my Blue Peter. What was going to happen...
0:19:07 > 0:19:09How was I going to see my Blue Peter?
0:19:09 > 0:19:13Back in 1968, Blue Peter had already been on the air for a decade
0:19:13 > 0:19:18and boasted what is arguably its most famous line-up
0:19:18 > 0:19:22with John Noakes, Peter Purves and Valerie Singleton.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26Elsewhere, Gardeners' World debuted on BBC One with Percy Thrower,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29who went on to be Blue Peter's resident gardener.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33But it was Captain Mainwaring and his hapless Home Guard volunteers
0:19:33 > 0:19:38who had us all laughing as Dad's Army first aired.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42Don't panic! Don't panic! They don't like 'em up 'em.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45- So, back in 1968...- Yeah.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48..this was the bridge where you could do a bit of fishing.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Yeah, so, here we are. This is Cushendall
0:19:51 > 0:19:52and this is the River Dall
0:19:52 > 0:19:56that flows through the village of Cushendall.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- And in here you will be able to get trout. Look! Look!- I just saw one!
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Look, look, look! It's really nice,
0:20:02 > 0:20:04but much shallower than I remember it. And...
0:20:04 > 0:20:06But look, fish everywhere, everywhere.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- Big and big.- Everywhere. Now, we used to...
0:20:09 > 0:20:10We had, hence the nets, right?
0:20:10 > 0:20:12So we... They were as sophisticated as this,
0:20:12 > 0:20:14but a bit of bamboo pole with a wee net on it,
0:20:14 > 0:20:18but we'd be able to get down there and hook these fish.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20I remember my dad catching one once.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23And when we... When he cut it open,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26he was going to cook it on the camp stove.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28It was all full of worms.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- Yeah, put me off.- Put you off. No, if it were full of worms...
0:20:31 > 0:20:34But you know what, I think everyone over there,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36we might be able to get over and down on to the bank.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- Good idea.- Should we try? - Goodness knows what will catch.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Well, you never know, eh?
0:20:42 > 0:20:44We might be able to.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- We might be able to what?- Get over. - Are you joking?
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Well, this wasn't here in my day. We could go right down onto the bank.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- No, don't, don't, don't. - No. You're right.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Well, let's perch for a minute.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01Did your mum and dad help you with your career in any ways?
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Well, how could they help? You know, Dad was a manual labourer.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Mum was a housewife. They didn't have connections, you know.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11But in fairness to my father,
0:21:11 > 0:21:15he used to finish on a Friday night and he'd get his pay packet
0:21:15 > 0:21:19and he would go to a bar where journalists drank
0:21:19 > 0:21:23called the McGlades in Belfast and he would often sidle up to a few
0:21:23 > 0:21:26and say, "You know, my son does this. He wants to do that.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28"Is there any chance, is there any chance, any chance?"
0:21:28 > 0:21:31I admire him. I really do. When I think back, he's dead now,
0:21:31 > 0:21:35but you know, I think, "Well done, Dad. You really... You tried."
0:21:35 > 0:21:38And well, now look, we've got these nets,
0:21:38 > 0:21:40we've got the talent. Let's go...
0:21:40 > 0:21:43You've reminded me of my nan, then.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44My grandad used to say...
0:21:44 > 0:21:48My nan used to say to my grandad, "Is it cold out?" He'd say, "Cold?
0:21:48 > 0:21:51"You need two hairnets today."
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- Well, we've got two.- We've got two! - Let's use them.- Come on.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06In the summer of 1968, little did Eamonn and his family know that
0:22:06 > 0:22:12his trouble-free childhood would soon come to a very abrupt end.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Political historian and head of lifelong learning
0:22:15 > 0:22:20at Stranmillis University College, Eamonn Phoenix can pinpoint
0:22:20 > 0:22:26why 1968 was such a significant year in Northern Irish history.
0:22:27 > 0:22:311968, of course, as I well remember, was the last innocent summer,
0:22:31 > 0:22:34if you like, in the history of Northern Ireland,
0:22:34 > 0:22:35just before the Troubles.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39The '60s had seen the arrival of the Beatles and other pop groups.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42You know, television was beginning to develop.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45People were going on their holidays to Cushendall and Cushendun
0:22:45 > 0:22:50and, of course, tensions were beginning to arise on the streets.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52You had the rise of the civil rights movement.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56The first marches demanding one man, one vote
0:22:56 > 0:22:58and a fairer system of government.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01And within really a year, this had turned to violence.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02You had the first fatalities.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05You had the burning houses of August 1969
0:23:05 > 0:23:07and the arrival of British troops.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10So, in many ways that last summer of '68
0:23:10 > 0:23:13for children who were spending those long summer days here
0:23:13 > 0:23:17was the last summer of innocence and you might say normality.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22At the heart of the conflict was who ruled Northern Ireland.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26The goal of the Unionists, who are mainly Protestant,
0:23:26 > 0:23:28was to remain part of the United Kingdom.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33The goal of the Nationalists, almost exclusively Catholic,
0:23:33 > 0:23:35was to become part of the Republic of Ireland.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37To escape the Troubles,
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Eamonn's family decided to flee Belfast a year later in 1969
0:23:41 > 0:23:44and headed to their beloved Cushendall.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Well, you can't come to Ireland and not have a drop of stout.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50You're right. And it's not just the drink and the alcohol,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52but it's the craic when you go into the pubs.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56You can hear the music already. And that's what I remember from as a kid.
0:23:56 > 0:23:57Wherever you went, there was happiness,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00there was laughter and there was always a fiddle and a drum and...
0:24:00 > 0:24:02- Let's go.- Come on.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08- Cheers.- Cheers.- All the best.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10- The music's calling.- Oh, yes!
0:24:10 > 0:24:14TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC PLAYS
0:24:19 > 0:24:20Hey-hey!
0:24:56 > 0:24:59THEY CHEER
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Now, do you know who this man is?
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Now, I'll give you a clue.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07His name is Ciaran.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Many years ago, you stayed in our house
0:25:11 > 0:25:13on high street here in Cushendall,
0:25:13 > 0:25:16- Sundial House...- Yes.- And I guess...
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- Well, my mother ran a boarding house then.- Yes.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22- I'm not quite sure when it was, but I remember...- I know.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25I remember way in the earlier parts of the Troubles,
0:25:25 > 0:25:29- there was a mass exodus of people left Belfast. There was...- Yeah.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32And an awful lot of people getting away out of city.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- I'm not sure if was that time. - It was.- It was at that time.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37It was absolutely, Ciaran, at that time.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39We packed up and we came down
0:25:39 > 0:25:44and Cushendall was the place of refuge and peace. And it was only...
0:25:44 > 0:25:47It was all we knew where to escape to and it was 60 miles away.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49And it was really hard to find somewhere to stay
0:25:49 > 0:25:52and we got booked into your guesthouse.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54Well...well, I remember my mother had,
0:25:54 > 0:25:56I think she had three rooms or something,
0:25:56 > 0:25:57but that particular night,
0:25:57 > 0:26:01she had 29 people stay and I know I slept in the bath.
0:26:01 > 0:26:02HE LAUGHS
0:26:02 > 0:26:05And...and...
0:26:05 > 0:26:06We were all desperate, Ciaran,
0:26:06 > 0:26:13and I remember genuinely we didn't know how long we were going to stay.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17And the simple fact, we stayed as long as we had money.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20And after, I think it was about eight nights or so,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23my dad ran out of money and there was nothing else to do.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25We didn't want to go back to the riots
0:26:25 > 0:26:27or what was happening in Belfast, but we did.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31We turned around and we went back because you just had to get home.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Eamonn's family stayed in Belfast,
0:26:34 > 0:26:39but it wasn't until 30 years later, on the 10th April, 1988,
0:26:39 > 0:26:42that The Good Friday Agreement was signed,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45bringing to an end the sectarian conflict.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49But in 1968, that all seemed like a world away.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51So, back in '68, this is where you would have come
0:26:51 > 0:26:53with your brothers to play a bit of football.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Yeah, and while the adults would be sitting down there
0:26:55 > 0:26:58on their picnic rugs, the beach is quite stony and shaley,
0:26:58 > 0:27:02- we'd be up here doing what we do. - Now, you're a big Man U fan.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05- Yeah.- How did you get into that?
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Well, again, that's going back to '68, United winning the European Cup
0:27:08 > 0:27:11and George Best being from Belfast.
0:27:11 > 0:27:12He was from the place we were from.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15And there was even a record on the charts about George Best
0:27:15 > 0:27:17called Belfast Boy.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21# Georgie, Georgie
0:27:21 > 0:27:23# They called you the Belfast Boy. #
0:27:23 > 0:27:27- Hey! There's a dolphin!- Wow!- Ha-ah!
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Hey-hey! There is... I just...
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Now, look. It jumped.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Well, in all my time here, I've never seen a dolphin.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41So, over the years, has your mum been one to give you advice
0:27:41 > 0:27:45- and help you along the way?- Well, she is Mrs Feet-on-the-ground.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47It's always when you phone her, "Hi, Mum. How are you doing?"
0:27:47 > 0:27:51"Didn't like that tie you were wearing this morning," you know.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54"Thought you were a bit grumpy on that. Didn't like..."
0:27:54 > 0:27:55You know, so, you get...
0:27:55 > 0:27:57You definitely get kept in position.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59You know, my mum's still alive.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03She's 97 now, but she's exactly the same, you know.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06I remember once on Strictly, I was nasty to a boy
0:28:06 > 0:28:07called Matt Di Angelo.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11He did go completely wrong, forget the routine and sit down.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13So, you know, I didn't mark...
0:28:13 > 0:28:16"I had to phone up and vote for him seven times.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20"Why were you so cruel to that young boy?" You know, so...
0:28:20 > 0:28:23- Your mummy's your mummy. - That's right.- That's...that's...
0:28:23 > 0:28:25That's right. I'm still scared of her now.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27So, I'm going to set this penalty shoot out.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30- What do you fancy, kick or keep? - I'll keep.- Right.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32- The goal is this seat.- OK.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36- Cos I'm not diving.- No. - I'm promising that.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Left or right, left or right, left or right,
0:28:38 > 0:28:41left or right, left or right. HE GRUNTS AND LAUGHS
0:28:53 > 0:28:57HE CHEERS
0:28:57 > 0:28:59Joy of joys!
0:29:03 > 0:29:05There are loads of things to see and do
0:29:05 > 0:29:08along the Causeway Coast and surrounding areas.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13Dunluce Castle is located dramatically close to a headland
0:29:13 > 0:29:15that plunges straight into the sea
0:29:15 > 0:29:18and was the headquarters of the MacDonald Clan.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20Constantly fought over.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Eventually, it succumbed to mother nature
0:29:23 > 0:29:27when part of it fell into the sea in 1639.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35On the Coast Road between Cushendall and Cushendun
0:29:35 > 0:29:37is the old Layd Church.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40It is thought to have begun life as a holy place
0:29:40 > 0:29:42in the Iron Age or before.
0:29:42 > 0:29:48It was in ruins in 1622, but rebuilt towards the end of the century
0:29:48 > 0:29:51and remained a site of Protestant worship until the 1800s.
0:29:53 > 0:29:58And heading further inland is the World Of Owls at Randalstown,
0:29:58 > 0:30:00Northern Ireland's only owl
0:30:00 > 0:30:04and bird of prey conservation educational centre.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06There are handling sessions,
0:30:06 > 0:30:09which allow us to get up close to the birds
0:30:09 > 0:30:11as well as plenty of other animals to admire.
0:30:11 > 0:30:12Woo-hoo, lovely.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20So, would you go for a swim?
0:30:20 > 0:30:21HE LAUGHS
0:30:21 > 0:30:24I'd love to have gone for a swim. None of us could go for a swim.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26Five boys, none of us could swim.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29Mum wouldn't let us in the water. Well, she would let us in the water,
0:30:29 > 0:30:32but, you know, she'd have to be there and supervise us.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34I'm not even sure she'd let us have a bath
0:30:34 > 0:30:37- without the door being open...- Right.
0:30:37 > 0:30:42And now there's a photograph of you, I've seen it,
0:30:42 > 0:30:44in a very natty pair of swimming trunks.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47- Oh, those were my leopard-skin trunks.- Oh, yes?
0:30:47 > 0:30:49All the rage!
0:30:49 > 0:30:51- All the rage. - EAMONN LAUGHS
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Well, you know, my trunks...
0:30:53 > 0:30:55- My nan used to knit them.- Did...
0:30:55 > 0:30:59- They were wool.- How can you have wool...?- I promise, I promise!
0:30:59 > 0:31:01- Cos my mum... My nan... - It would sink you.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05Oh, once you went in the water, they would swell up,
0:31:05 > 0:31:08your crotch would go down about...
0:31:08 > 0:31:10And I'd waddle out...
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- I want to see a picture of that. - Yeah.- That's what I want to see.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16And what about sandcastles? Should we have a go?
0:31:16 > 0:31:18- A bit of sand there, look. - Yeah?- Yeah.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21- Now, listen, I'll hold the bucket. Now you shovel in.- Happy?
0:31:21 > 0:31:25- Yeah, go on. Shovel it in. - Right, OK, I'll leave you...
0:31:25 > 0:31:27- You can do the patting. - I'll do the patting.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31So, what about GMTV, how did that come along?
0:31:31 > 0:31:36Well, I was working away on breakfast television on the BBC
0:31:36 > 0:31:39and then the phone call came, "Would I be interested to do this?"
0:31:39 > 0:31:42And, of course, I was going to be interested in doing that
0:31:42 > 0:31:45because really this was just like the teatime programme
0:31:45 > 0:31:48I'd been doing in Belfast, but earlier.
0:31:48 > 0:31:53And, erm... You know, so that was August '92, I got the call.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56We went on air New Year's Day 1993.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58How many on-screen wives have you got through?
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Ooh, an awful lot there.
0:32:01 > 0:32:02Ooh...
0:32:02 > 0:32:05Jill Dando, Lorraine Kelly,
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Fiona Phillips, Esther McVey,
0:32:07 > 0:32:10who's now an MP and member of the cabinet.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14Erm, erm, erm, oh!
0:32:14 > 0:32:17Penny Smith, Charlotte Hawkins,
0:32:17 > 0:32:19Isabel Webster.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Erm... I'm missing... Oh! Anthea Turner.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25Erm... Oh, Fiona Phillips. Have we got Fiona Phillips in there?
0:32:25 > 0:32:28This is like the Generation Game. And my real wife.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31- Of course!- She's there. Yes. - She's there now. Yes.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35But there's been quite a few. Do you know, that has been a delight
0:32:35 > 0:32:38and people would tweet me all the time and they would say,
0:32:38 > 0:32:40"You are a lucky so-and-so.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43"Look at those beautiful women you are surrounded with."
0:32:43 > 0:32:44And I said, "I'm lucky?
0:32:44 > 0:32:47"Think about what it must be like for them looking at me every day.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49- "I'm lucky?!"- Yes. Yeah.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52- What a treat that is. - And they pay them as well.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58- Oh!- Yes! And then do you know the one thing nicer than building them...
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Oh, no, don't! Wait till we've got a few.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08And after that overexertion, Eamonn's got a treat for me!
0:33:08 > 0:33:12I hope he isn't going to try and get me back for those sausages.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16- Have some of this. This is what's known as dulse.- Dulse.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20Dulse around here. Seaweed.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Seaweed. It's a natural snack.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26It's got salt added. Makes you thirsty, I'll tell you.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29- Quite salty as anything, isn't it? - Mm.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33Mm! Well, now that brings me back. I...
0:33:33 > 0:33:38It won't surprise you to hear I haven't eaten that since 1968.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42No, I can't understand why, really.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44It's like chewing old rubber, isn't it?
0:33:44 > 0:33:47- Take your dentures out.- Yeah.
0:33:47 > 0:33:52THEY LAUGH
0:33:52 > 0:33:56It's awful. Disgusting.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59But it's natural. Good for you.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02- Yeah, well, go on. - Gives you all your minerals.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05I'd rather have the plastic bag.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12There are a lot of things to see and do on the Causeway Coast
0:34:12 > 0:34:13and surrounding area,
0:34:13 > 0:34:17which thankfully are good for body and soul.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19At the southern end of Antrim, itself,
0:34:19 > 0:34:24are the 400-year-old Antrim Castle Gardens.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26They're a unique living museum
0:34:26 > 0:34:29with layer upon layer of design features
0:34:29 > 0:34:31and planting added over the centuries.
0:34:31 > 0:34:36Must-see features include the Yew Tree Pond and the Pleasure Gardens.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42The Royal Portrush Golf Club on the north coast of Ireland
0:34:42 > 0:34:46was founded in 1888 and is the only club in Ireland
0:34:46 > 0:34:50to have hosted the Open Championship.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Harry Colt, one of golf's greatest course architects,
0:34:53 > 0:34:57used the natural contours and dunes to create a course,
0:34:57 > 0:35:00which attracts golfers from all over the world.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Portrush is also home to Barry's Amusement Park,
0:35:05 > 0:35:08the largest theme park in Ireland.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12In 1925, travelling members of the Chipperfield
0:35:12 > 0:35:16and Trufelli circus families were invited by the local railway company
0:35:16 > 0:35:20to permanently locate there on a site beside the station.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24The first delivery lorry had the name Barr on it,
0:35:24 > 0:35:26so Barry's was chosen as its name.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29It still maintains a mixture of traditional
0:35:29 > 0:35:31and modern amusements to this day.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37A few miles west of Portrush is the Giant's Causeway,
0:35:37 > 0:35:41an area of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns,
0:35:41 > 0:35:45the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47First documented in 1693,
0:35:47 > 0:35:50the Causeway has often been described
0:35:50 > 0:35:53as the Eighth Wonder of the World
0:35:53 > 0:35:57and was declared as Ireland's first World Heritage Site
0:35:57 > 0:35:59by UNESCO in 1986.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03Having spent the day with Eamonn,
0:36:03 > 0:36:05I can understand why people are happy to talk to him
0:36:05 > 0:36:09from politicians to international superstars.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12However, whilst presenting GMTV with Fiona Phillips,
0:36:12 > 0:36:16there was one American illusionist who was not up for talking,
0:36:16 > 0:36:18not one bit.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Of course, you were... You're famous in this country as well
0:36:20 > 0:36:24for appearing in a car advert doing tricks as well.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Is it a trick to talk?
0:36:26 > 0:36:28What about the interview with David Blaine?
0:36:28 > 0:36:30'All I know is no-one knew of him before that interview
0:36:30 > 0:36:32'and they all knew about him after that interview...'
0:36:32 > 0:36:36And what is that? What is the eye on the hand? Let's see that again.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38- Protection.- Protection.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40What does that mean?
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- Protection from death.- Oh.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46But that was the longest six minutes of my life
0:36:46 > 0:36:49and Fiona, who never shut up, would always chip in with everything,
0:36:49 > 0:36:51at the end of the interview,
0:36:51 > 0:36:54I remember turning round to her and saying "Thanks very much,
0:36:54 > 0:36:56"thanks for help." She just kept quiet
0:36:56 > 0:36:59throughout the whole interview. All I know is that it was different.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02Yeah, certainly was different.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06Growing up, did you see yourself as different?
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- In any way? - I didn't think about it that way.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13- And 13 years on GMTV. - Yeah, it was hard to leave.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16It was hard to go, but it was time to do something else.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20The climate was changing, I think, with breakfast television as well.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Sky News came along and that was...that was right for me
0:37:23 > 0:37:27at my age and time. And...to go there and be...
0:37:27 > 0:37:30Become an established anchor for a breakfast programme
0:37:30 > 0:37:32is a great privilege.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36I think it is a very responsible job to be the one
0:37:36 > 0:37:40who has to impart news, you know, and the way you do it and someone...
0:37:40 > 0:37:43And what I love about you is how you say it, you know.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47If it is serious, you go into...into that mood
0:37:47 > 0:37:50and if it's something a bit jolly, you...you play on that.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53A lot of people would think news is not fun. News can be fun.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56But what can't be, what I believe it can't be,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58it can't be dull. You can't make it...
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Whether it's serious, whether it's light,
0:38:00 > 0:38:02it has to be accessible. I want to say to people,
0:38:02 > 0:38:05"Oi, wait till you hear what's happening out here.
0:38:05 > 0:38:06"You think this doesn't affect you,
0:38:06 > 0:38:08"but really it does affect you and here's how."
0:38:08 > 0:38:11And that's what I want to do. "You'll be very interested in this."
0:38:11 > 0:38:14So, where does that come from, that enthusiasm?
0:38:14 > 0:38:17I think probably from...from school.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20I think we were told at school,
0:38:20 > 0:38:22"God has given you a gift and if God has given you a gift
0:38:22 > 0:38:25"and you're a good golfer, you're fantastic mathematician,
0:38:25 > 0:38:27"or you're good with animals...
0:38:27 > 0:38:29"That's your moral duty, really, to go through with that
0:38:29 > 0:38:32"and you shouldn't do things half-heartedly."
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Shows a lot about you as a character and a person. It really does.
0:38:36 > 0:38:41In 2006, you started interviewing with Ruth, your wife.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44HE LAUGHS
0:38:44 > 0:38:45You would say the same, darling.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Because it's your real-life partner...
0:38:47 > 0:38:50When you work with somebody who's your professional partner,
0:38:50 > 0:38:53you'll say, "Thank you, Len. That was very good, Len.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55"Thanks very much.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57"Don't get me with him again. He was..."
0:38:57 > 0:38:58THEY LAUGH
0:38:58 > 0:39:00But when it's your real-life partner,
0:39:00 > 0:39:03you will tell the truth and maybe the truth hurts sometimes.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05But it's a wonderful privilege to work with somebody,
0:39:05 > 0:39:08who you love and you respect so much.
0:39:08 > 0:39:09I think you can see
0:39:09 > 0:39:12there's a chemistry between the two of you, you know.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15And not always saying it's all warm and cuddly,
0:39:15 > 0:39:17but it's always there.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Len, it is her ambition to get on Strictly.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22Right. I've been asked about three times.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24I'll say, "No. Strictly and after... No, I don't want to...
0:39:24 > 0:39:28"No, I don't want to do it." She'll go, "I can't believe you.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30"They never ask me." And I go, "Yeah, quite right.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34"It's only the big names now." LEN LAUGHS
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Oh, that goes down well.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39How do you think your holidays down here as a little boy
0:39:39 > 0:39:42has shaped the person you became?
0:39:42 > 0:39:46Ooh, well, you know, when I was holidaying here,
0:39:46 > 0:39:51I wasn't aware that it was overly simple or overly humble.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54It's overly beautiful and you can see that by revisiting it.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56And I've been able to travel lots around the world
0:39:56 > 0:39:59and there's so many beautiful places around the world,
0:39:59 > 0:40:01and so often it's not the place, it's not the location,
0:40:01 > 0:40:04it's the people that you're with.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08'It's been just wonderful to spend time with Eamonn
0:40:08 > 0:40:10'and to learn more about his family
0:40:10 > 0:40:13'and how that precious time before the Troubles
0:40:13 > 0:40:17'led him to be the influential broadcaster he is today.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19'From our travels down the coast...'
0:40:19 > 0:40:21- VAN REVS - That's nothing. Ah!
0:40:21 > 0:40:23That must be first.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28- Oh, yeah, you've got a clunk. - Maybe, we should take the bus.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30'Me not being the perfect host...'
0:40:30 > 0:40:33I haven't eaten outdoors since I was a kid, you know,
0:40:33 > 0:40:37sort of camp-fry like that and after you doing that today...
0:40:37 > 0:40:39I'm not going to do it again.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41HE LAUGHS
0:40:41 > 0:40:43'..to the memories that haunt us most...'
0:40:43 > 0:40:45We were all desperate, Ciaran,
0:40:45 > 0:40:49and I remembered genuinely,
0:40:49 > 0:40:51we didn't know how long we were going to stay.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55'It's been a day of reflection, but also of fun.'
0:40:55 > 0:40:58Not bad. A bit more follow through you needed.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03Well, I'll tell you what, I've never been to this area
0:41:03 > 0:41:07and I have loved it! And I loved the day.
0:41:07 > 0:41:13And for me, you know, this is idyllic. I just...
0:41:13 > 0:41:14I've had such a good time
0:41:14 > 0:41:18and I'd love it if you could remember this day forever.
0:41:18 > 0:41:19Oh, I will, I will.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23And, well, as a little reminder I've got...
0:41:23 > 0:41:25I've got this little scrapbook for you.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29Holiday Of My Lifetime with a few memories.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Thank you. Oh! That is so good of you.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36A scrapbook of memories of Eamonn's time spent here
0:41:36 > 0:41:39on the Antrim Coast Road.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43And bearing in mind how this holiday has rekindled those memories,
0:41:43 > 0:41:46I have one last surprise.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48That was so good. Len, I'm so glad to have shared it with you.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51- I'm not finished. - What?- There's more.- Oh?
0:41:51 > 0:41:53- This is a show that gives.- Mm-hm.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55So, just hold on.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58We thought you might like...
0:41:58 > 0:42:00Oh, now that... Oh, that is beautiful!
0:42:00 > 0:42:04That is really, really thoughtful. That's lovely. That's really lovely.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09- Thank you. That means a lot.- And... - "The magic carpet."
0:42:09 > 0:42:12A replica of Eamonn's dad's magic carpet van,
0:42:12 > 0:42:14which brought him and his family here.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17- Where on earth would you get that? - Well, there you go.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21The detail on that is incredible! I mean, that's a...
0:42:21 > 0:42:23That's an exact replica, even the address.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28Down to the address of the carpet selection centre. The Magic Carpet.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32- The Magic Carpet lives.- Yeah.- Lovely.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34- If you want to keep a man happy, buy him toys.- Yeah.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37And that's...that's the best toy.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Even Santa has never brought me anything at good as that.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42That's absolutely delightful. Thank you.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45- It's been great.- It's been lovely.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49Today, I have seen for myself just how much Eamonn's family background
0:42:49 > 0:42:51and fellow countrymen mean to him
0:42:51 > 0:42:55and how his experience then led him to where he is now.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59- Should we have a selfie? - Oh, go on. Your camera or mine?
0:42:59 > 0:43:02I think yours cos it's posher.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05- You've got a posh one.- You're right. That's a selfie. That's you, look.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07- Oh! Look!- Look!
0:43:08 > 0:43:10Do you know what? That's a good one.