The Northumberland favourite explains his first tattoo following an iconic Spanish experience
Robson Green has a first tattoo. Credit: The Mirror
Geordie favourite Robson Green has had his first tattoo at the age of 60 in a spur-of-the-moment decision and has explained the special meaning behind it. The local actor star of Granchester, who lives in Northumberland, took the plunge after completing a spiritual ancient pilgrimage in northern Spain for a new TV show.
In an exclusive, The Mirror reports that he made his tattoo decision after walking more than 90 miles along the famous Camino de Santiago trek – The Way of St James – after which many of those who complete it choose to have an inking as a lasting reminder of their achievement. The star, whose acting CV ranges from Soldier, Soldier to Granchester, suddenly decided to follow suit when he finally reached his destination.
And the result is a scallop shell on his upper arm. He joked: “That definitely wasn’t in the script!
“I have loved this pilgrimage on the outside but for me it’s been more about the journey within. The walk seems to leave an indelible mark on anyone who walks it so much so that before they leave Santiago many pilgrims decide to commemorate it by getting a Camino tattoo.
“And it turns out I am one of them.” He explains: “It gets under your skin and I have a feeling it will stay there forever and I have got the tattoo to prove it.
“I had a feeling the walk was going to be a memorable one.” The actor undergoes the legendary Camino in his new TV series The World’s Most Amazing Walks which will air on U and U&Yesterday.
It will show him tackling treks all over the UK and Europe but he admitted his favourite was the one in Spain. It dates back to the 9th century when it is said the remains of St James – one of Jesus’ apostles – were discovered in Santiago de Compostella.
The Camino is actually a network of trails across Europe which end up in Santiago in north Spain. The most popular is the 500-mile Camino Frances which can take six weeks.
Green completed a shorter 90-mile section and along the way he stopped at hostels which have become overnight shelters for annual walkers. The trek features symbols to follow and Robson loved the story behind a scallop shell sign which is why he chose it for his arm.
He revealed: “My favourite symbol is the scallop shell and there were images everywhere because years ago pilgrims collected from the Galician coastline as proof of their journey when they reached Santiago.
Viewers can accompany Robson Green on the World’s Most Amazing Walks(Image: BBC)
“The shell was used as a drinking vessel or a bowl for food; however my favourite story is about the ridges on the shell as they say those ridges depict the routes leading to Santiago.
“The people who do this were all there for many different reasons, and each had a goal. When they achieved what they set out to do, the emotional response was deeply profound.”
He added: “I was emotional with the rest of them – so much so, I got a tattoo.” On his return to the UK, the actor went straight into filming the final series of Grantchester.
His new tattoo was finally revealed when a guest star on the drama spotted it being covered up by the make-up artists. He said: “I was in the make-up chair filming Grantchester recently and needed to show my shoulders in a scene.
“And one of the guest actors saw the scallop shell on my shoulder. And he went ‘oh, you walked the Camino. Buen Camino’.
“So, I’m now a member of the Camino club. I’ll definitely be going back without the cameras.”
Robson Green: The World’s Most Amazing Walks starts Monday 27 October on U and U&Yesterday at 8pm
ChronicleLive has created a dedicated WhatsApp community for What’s On news and updates. You can join this WhatsApp community here. It will keep you up to date with things to do around the North East and breaking gig announcements, sent directly to your phone.