Channel 4 series funded by tourist board

Babatunde Aléshé and Finlay Christie have toured Ireland for a new Channel 4 series.

In Coast to Coast: The Scenic Route, the comedians took on the Causeway Coastal Route and Wild Atlantic Way, with the results now available on YouTube. 

The trip is billed as a ’battle of generations’ as they are challenged to step out of their comfort zones and take part in unusual activities such as controlling sheepdogs to mastering traditional Irish brush dancing and abseiling.

It is the third digital series to be funded by Tourism Ireland following last year’s Where to Next?, also starring Aléshé, and 2023’s Stand Up Road Trip, with  Suzi Ruffell and Seán Burke.

Aléshé said: ‘I was absolutely thrilled to return to Ireland for this partnership! Such a beautiful country and such kind, joyous people… I’m super proud of this project."

Christie added: ‘Ireland is a land familiar enough to soothe, but rich with its own wild character. It was a gentle adventure. 

‘One day I was herding lambs, the next I was floating in a seaweed bath like an ancient Celtic king. There were so many laughs, new experiences and vistas that opened like paintings. It was an absolute dank ting. I had a genuinely wicked time.’

The commercial tie-up also features the Guardian, with a series of itineraries and interactive maps published on their website.  Aléshé and  Christie will also voice ads featuring across the Guardian’s podcast network, with Judith Cassidy from Tourism Ireland, saying the campaign will reach almost 15 million potential British holidaymakers.

The new series will also go out on Channel 4’s TikTok, Instagram and Facebook pages from May 28.

Channel 4’s Rupinder Downie said: ‘Our content featuring Babatunde and Finlay, underlines Channel 4’s ability to go above and beyond when collaborating with brands, playing to our credentials in comedy and entertaining our viewers with engaging longer-form content.’
 

Published: 21 May 2025