Iconic explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes revealed his 2019 Parkinson’s diagnosis to his actor cousin Joseph while filming their new TV show.
Sir Ranulph, 80, one of Britain’s most famous living explorers, opened up about his condition while shooting their latest travel series together in Canada.
Joseph, known for his role as Fred Waterford in The Handmaid’s Tale and more recently playing Gareth Southgate in stage show ‘Dear England’, was struck by how brave his uncle was discussing his condition.
The pair embarked on a trip to Canada to retrace the steps of Sir Ran’s 1971 Headless Valley Expedition, having previously joined forces in 2019 to revisit his 1969 hovercraft expedition of The Nile.
He led the North American expedition in the early 70s across the north-west territory where much of it can only be accessed by air, water or a long trek.
Joseph was speaking to Sir Ran in an interview ahead of the launch of Fiennes: Return to the Wild which airs on National Geographic on Sunday, 26 May at 8pm.
He said: “This particular expedition, a journey reflecting back on your visit back 50 years ago in Canada revealed something, which I thought was you were very brave at telling - which was the condition of Parkinson's.
“And it's not easy – it’s very brave to talk about it.”
Sir Ranulph, 80, one of Britain’s most famous living explorers, opened up about his condition while shooting their latest travel series together in Canada.
Joseph, known for his role as Fred Waterford in The Handmaid’s Tale and more recently playing Gareth Southgate in stage show ‘Dear England’, was struck by how brave his uncle was discussing his condition.
The pair embarked on a trip to Canada to retrace the steps of Sir Ran’s 1971 Headless Valley Expedition, having previously joined forces in 2019 to revisit his 1969 hovercraft expedition of The Nile.
He led the North American expedition in the early 70s across the north-west territory where much of it can only be accessed by air, water or a long trek.
Joseph was speaking to Sir Ran in an interview ahead of the launch of Fiennes: Return to the Wild which airs on National Geographic on Sunday, 26 May at 8pm.
He said: “This particular expedition, a journey reflecting back on your visit back 50 years ago in Canada revealed something, which I thought was you were very brave at telling - which was the condition of Parkinson's.
“And it's not easy – it’s very brave to talk about it.”
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FunTranscript
00:00 I think Ryan's biggest challenge on this was my endless bad dad jokes.
00:05 I think you pretend not to hear.
00:06 No, I promise I am actually half deaf.
00:09 Okay.
00:10 I think Return to the Wild is witnessing the sheer beauty of planet Earth,
00:19 this time through the looking glass of Canada.
00:25 Looking at the extraordinary exploits of one of the world's greatest,
00:30 or the world's greatest living explorer, Acker, the Guinness Book of Records.
00:35 It's funny, it's empowering, it's endearing,
00:38 it's about the incredible First Nations culture.
00:41 It looks at the fragility of our planet, the beauty of our planet,
00:45 and the fragility of ourselves and the beauty of ourselves.
00:48 It's sort of a love letter to Saran.
00:51 Like, how was it spending so much time together?
00:53 I think just to spend time with, you know, a member of my family,
00:58 and get to know a member of my family.
01:00 And I would urge anyone that might be watching this,
01:02 if they've got a member of their family that they would love to take a trip on,
01:06 to go out there and to do that.
01:08 It's far more enjoyable, the expeditions I've done with Cousin Joe.
01:12 Watching his genuine enjoyment of it, helps me enjoy it.
01:17 Any moments that you were scared on this trip?
01:19 Did we see any bears?
01:21 We saw one bear. You were very swift in making sure that I didn't run up and cuddle it.
01:28 Do either of you have bad habits travelling?
01:30 I just think my driving skills need a bit more work, maybe.
01:34 Your driving skills are suicidal.
01:36 Yeah, that's the only thing.
01:38 Obviously, Joe, you find out a huge thing on this expedition.
01:43 I think this particular expedition, or kind of journey, reflecting back on your visit back 50 years ago in Canada,
01:54 revealed something which I thought you were very brave at telling, which was the condition of Parkinson's.
02:01 Being the most hopeful to try and cure myself is the cold swimming, and I intend to do that.
02:09 Unfortunately, you have to like getting into cold water.
02:13 Joe, will you perhaps be dipping in as well?
02:16 It's all good, as long as you get out early enough and don't lose fingers and toes.
02:22 Yes, if you haven't lost a lot already.
02:25 And for someone like me, who's scared of my own shadow, what is your number one tip for going on an expedition like this?
02:32 I think the best thing, I think you know better than me, is actually, if you're prepared,
02:36 nature is wondrous and it is medicinal.
02:41 And so don't be scared, be prepared.
02:43 What's the next expedition?
02:45 Well, Elon Musk called us and said, "Would we like to do space travel?"
02:49 Joe, I haven't told you this, but I've heard that one thing you have to have
02:54 is mathematical intelligence to be allowed anywhere near a spacecraft.
02:58 So, for people that want to watch Return to the Wild, when can they and how?
03:02 Well, anyone that wants to watch and join us on Return to the Wild,
03:06 they can witness it on National Geographic, 26th of May at 8pm.
03:13 [Music]