Grantchester star Robson Green reveals first tattoo at the age of 60 – and the special meaning behind it

EXCLUSIVE: Robson Green braves Spain’s iconic Camino De Santiago in a brand-new show and was so inspired by his journey that he’s had an inking to remind him of it, like many pilgrims before him

The star’s new tat ‘definitely wasn’t in the script’, he jokes

Grantchester star Robson Green has had his first tattoo at the age of 60. The Geordie actor decided to get inked after completing a spiritual ancient pilgrimage in northern Spain for a new TV show. He walked more than 90 miles along the famous Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James) and many of those who complete the trek choose to get a lasting reminder of their achievement in the form of a tattoo.

On the spur of the moment, when he finally reached his destination, the Soldier, Soldier star decided to follow suit by getting one of a scallop shell on his upper arm. Robson 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 Geordie star takes on the iconic walking trail in a new show(Image: BBC/Zoila Brozas)

The actor added: “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.

“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.”

Robson braves the legendary Camino in his new TV series The World’s Most Amazing Walks airing on U and UandYesterday. He will be seen tackling treks all over the UK and Europe but admitted his favourite was in Spain.

The walk 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 60-year-old opted for a scallop, as many pilgrims of the trail have done before him

The most popular is the Camino Frances but this is a 500 mile trek which can take six weeks. Robson opted to complete a shorter 90 mile section taking him from the village of O Cebreiro through to Portomarin, Melide, Argua and finally onto Santiago.

Along the way, during his six-day stint on foot, he stopped at hostels which have become overnight shelters for half a million walkers who pass through every year.

The trek features many symbols for walkers to follow the route but Robson loved the story behind the scallop shell sign which is why he chose that design 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.

Robson has said goodbye to Grantchester after 11 series’(Image: Shared Content Unit)

“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. I was emotional with the rest of them – so much so, I got a tattoo.”

When he came back to the UK, he went straight into filming the final series of Grantchester and kept his inking secret. However it got revealed when a guest star on the drama, where he plays cop Geordie Keating, spotted it being covered up by the make-up artists.

Robson added: “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.”

READ MORE: Claudia Winkleman’s signature glossy hair is thanks to one easy to use £22 product