Batley pair win TV’s Coach Trip

Carol Rhodes and Bill Coupe, both of North Bank Road, were forced to leave Channel 4’s Coach Trip last October after Carol was taken ill.

The pair were so devastated that they issued a plea in our paper to be given another chance, and producers invited them back when they saw a clipping.

The show is hosted by tour guide Brendan Sheerin, who takes seven couples on a trip of a lifetime across Europe.

“To be given another chance was absolutely fantastic,” said Carol, 69. But it didn’t go without a few hiccups – Carol was taken to hospital again.

The contestants were doing an assault course when she came unstuck. “I was in my element,” she said. “Climbing over tyres, putting the young ones to shame.”

But Carol got stuck in the mud and damaged her ribs after another contestant tried to pull her out. “I thought to myself ‘I’m not going to hospital!’” said Carol.

She was sent anyway, but was allowed to carry on after receiving treatment.

The hardy pensioners certainly took a few knocks – including Bill, 71, getting a swollen knee and a Segway crash involving Carol and another contestant – but they soldiered on and enjoyed the trip immensely.

“It was a fantastic experience,” said Bill. Carol added: “The other couples were the best people we could’ve travelled with.”

The pair, who were joint winners with another couple, won an £850 for coach trip.