After a holidaymaker’s death on his “worst day at work,” Coach Trip star Brendan Sheerin is well aware that sometimes more than just a postcard is delivered home from a trip abroad.
Coach Trip’s Brendan Sheerin’s sunny personality has made him the nation’s favourite tour guide – but there were no smiles the day someone died when he was on duty.
The 66-year-old found amassed a cult following when he was appointed the resident holiday rep on Channel 4 reality show Coach Trip, with even the late Queen reportedly a fan of the show. But he wasn’t plucked from complete obscurity; he was suggested for the job by a former boss.
When TV producer Andrew Brereton began calling around hotels in Scarborough, near his hometown of Leeds, in 2005, to ask for potential stars for a new show he had sold to Channel 4 while he was employed at a seafront spa there. The interview that would alter Brendan’s life was suggested by his manager, who flew to London with him.
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Speaking to Metro to mark the show’s 20th anniversary, he revealed that there was one sticky question which came up, but it got him the job.
They looked about seventeen when these producers were young. When a client died, I said, and they inquired about my worst day at work. You know, it happens during vacations, but people do die.
The team could see Brendan’s star quality clearly through the grim anecdote. They called me the next day and said, “We found the person we want,” and I responded, “Oh, I’m so happy for you,” and they replied, “No, Brendan, it’s you, it’s got to be you.” My stomach hurt. My life was about to change, I knew.
From 2005 until the Coronavirus pandemic stopped filming, with Brendan appearing in every episode, Coach Trip aired 640 episodes. Since then, no new episodes have been reportedly filmed, with Channel 4 confirming that none were in development.
The show saw Brendan visit every European country (bar Russia) and, for special series, parts of North Africa and East Asia. He would be joined by seven couples – who might be pensioners, party animals, students, or other stereotypical British holidaymakers – or, for some specials, celebrities. The show veered between twee and cut throat, with couples voting one another off as the bus made stops at different historical landmarks and beautiful cities.
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A couple was forced to remove their luggage from the hold after being issued a yellow and then red card, leaving them “stranded” by the side of the road. As the bus traveled, a new couple would take their place.
While the contestants were a significant component of the program, viewers were incredibly interested in seeing Brendan corral, tut, and shush them as they crossed the border to perform their country’s national anthems.
Although there were some challenging personalities, Brendan always maintained her neutrality. He continued, “Typically the group didn’t like people that I didn’t like, but they did, too.”
When people were on the coach for a while, they would become a little too at ease and say, “Oh, are we taking a painting class?” Boring! ‘ There would eventually become a little less appreciative, but if you start sat on your laurels, someone will always be waiting for you.
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