Channel 4 show on how Johnny Vegas bought a Maltese bus on a whim and opened a glamping site airs tomorrow

Thatto Heath born Johnny, whose real name is Michael Pennington, is joined by his long suffering assistant Bev Dixon in buying a Maltese bus, trying for more than six months to bring it to the UK and joined by craftsmen including St Helens' Retro Chimps in making it all possible, during Covid.

John Manktelow

As usual with Johnny, his idea to buy a bus and turn it into a campervan escalated quickly, and he now has opened his own glamping site in a farmers field at Breaks Fold Farm in Nidderdale - which has all been documented in the filming of Johnny Vegas: Carry on Glamping which will air on Channel 4 at 10pm tomorrow Wednesday, May 5.

John Manktelow

Glamping is on the rise in Britain, and is where people are repurposing old vehicles into stunning boutique hotels.

Johnny and Bev.

Across this four-part series we see Johnny, Bev and a gang of vintage vehicle enthusiasts as they attempt to bring new life to a collection of old vehicles as the clock is ticking to get the site open in time.

Johnny Vegas.

Speaking to the Star, Johnny said: "Well we were on holiday in Wales and I got chatting to someone from the National Trust in a pub, had a few too many and ended up buying an old Maltese online.

"Well then I had an idea didn't I? So poor Bev had to help make it happen, we went to Malta, picked up the bus and it was lovely and I had all these grand plans.

Johnny Vegas.

"I said to Bev, 'Gibraltar is lovely isn't it' and she had to tell me we were in Malta, was wondering where the monkeys were but it was a great trip and we had all these intentions, then Covid happened and we had to wait six months and go through four ferries, one of which caught on fire, to get it here, and turn her into what I had in my head.

Johnny Vegas.

"Firstly her name is Patricia after my mum, and I told my mum that before she died and apparently that bit is in the first episode, which will be emotional to watch.

"I've always loved the idea of upcycling something and with the help of Retro Chimps, who are so skilled from St Helens, they managed to use everything from that bus to turn it into something else.

Johnny and Bev.

"It's taken ages with Covid and losing my mum but we've really worked hard on it and it's amazing.

"I even made a sculpture at the World of Glass for the camper, which broke so they cut it out from the show, but Retro Chimps set it in resin and managed to salvage it so its got pride of place in there.

The artwork Johnny created at the World of Glass

The artwork

"They even managed to make an outdoor bar and picnic area called Lol's Bar after my dad, so my mum's camper is welcoming people and my dad's bar will get people drunk.

"It's been very healing actually, something really positive to get focussed on and then I kind of carried away again and ended up sorting a site for her to go on and a whole host of other glamping sites, which is all in the show.

Even the back door of the bus has been upcycled to become Johnny's kiln shed door back home

Even the back door of the bus was salvaged by Retro Chimps and transformed into the door of Johnny's kiln shed

"It may be two years in the making, but I'm really proud of it and look forward to people seeing the journey really when the episodes air.

"The stand out thing really is that Bev makes it all happen, I have ideas, then Bev makes it happen, everyone needs a Bev.

Johnny and his picnic table created from a panel of the bus by Retro Chimps

Johnny and his picnic table made by Retro Chimps

"What's even nicer is the first episode airs on May 5, my mum's birthday, so it will be bitter sweet, but a welcome distraction and a lovely thing to see her reacting to the news on the show."

Johnny Vegas: Carry on Glamping airs at 10pm on Wednesday, May 5 on Channel 4.