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Catherine Addison-Swan

Robson Green and Si King visit Chillingham in finale of 'life-affirming' BBC series

Robson Green was accompanied by one half of one of the most beloved TV duos as his BBC Two series Weekend Escapes came to a close.

The Hexham-born actor took Hairy Biker Si King along for his final North East adventure, which saw the pair head to Chillingham in Northumberland. Robson and Si embarked on a picturesque tour of Chillingham Castle, where they encountered the famous wild cattle that roam the grounds - one of the rarest animals on the planet.

And Si had Geordie viewers chuckling as he pointed out the long eyelashes on the cows. "There's a load of lasses down the Bigg Market that would be proud of them," he quipped.

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56-year-old Si, born in Kibblesworth, was full of pride for his home region as he opened up about how it had shaped his identity. "We, you and I, are products of this earth," he told Robson, gesturing to the beautiful Northumberland countryside around them.

"It's where our compassion comes from - it's where our crack and our humour comes from. And in that sense, the emotional connection, I know it better than anywhere else in the world - and I love it more than anywhere else in the world."

Robson later took Si for a spot of bongo playing on the beach at Beadnell after the chef opened up about how he nurtures his mental health by playing the drums in a band, before Robson later rustled up some sausages for tea. While the host was cooking, Si shared his surprising secret to cooking the "perfect sausage".

"Don't prick them," Si instructed to a disbelieving Robson. "Absolutely not, don't do that. Over a medium heat, just let them go - don't move them around the pan too much, just turn them over when they're brown, nice and gentle."

Asked by Robson why he always kept coming to the North East, Si responded: "It's where my heart and soul is. That's the only way I can explain it."

Robson then continued his trip solo to have a go at a popular pastime on the North East coast which his own dad used to love - taking an icy dip in the sea. And with the series coming to a close after three weeks, fans have been full of praise of the episodes for showing off the charm and beauty of the region.

"I absolutely love Robson Green's Weekend Escapes," one viewer raved on Twitter. "Shows off our great country and a glimpse of what it has to offer. Just 30 minutes of pure escapism."

Someone else tweeted: "I am so lucky to live in the North East - so many gorgeous surroundings which I didn't know we had or existed. Robson Green's Weekend Escapes has brought out so many hidden gems."

"Just discovered Robson Green's Weekend Escapes - absolutely a great watch after a busy day at work," another fan said. "Beautiful journey along a section of Hadrian's Wall, Sycamore Gap and so much more. Off to catch up on episodes missed."

All 15 episodes of the series are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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