If you haven’t heard the weary world wisdom of Karl Pilkington yet, you’re really missing out. Pilkington, of course, is Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s mate and he has a very round head indeed. He’s set to star in a new Sky1 travel series which see him going off in search of the seven wonders of the world.

The eight-parter will see Gervais and Merchant following Pilkington’s progress (which would be a great name for the show… as it happens, the working title thus far is Karl Pilkington’s Seven Wonders of the World… which is nowhere near as fun) as he goes on a trip around the globe.

He’ll travel to the Great Wall of China, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Petra in Jordan, Machu Picchu in Peru, Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Taj Mahal in India and the Great Pyramids of Egypt.

“Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are outraged that Karl has written off the Seven Wonders, claiming they’re all ‘a bit shit’,” said Sky1 in a statement.

“They’ve thrown down the gauntlet to send him around the globe to force him out of his comfort zone. Stephen wants the experience to broaden Karl’s mind and change his outlook on the world. Ricky wants Karl to hate every minute of it for his own amusement.”

“I can’t wait to get started,” said Pilkington. “Not ‘cos I’m excited but ‘cos the sooner we start the sooner it will be over. The fact the nurse gave me an injection that protects me from dirty chimps put a dampener on the whole thing. I don’t think Ross Kemp has to have that injection.”

Gervais and Merchant will “keep a watchful eye from London, monitoring every step of Pilkington’s journey”, added Sky. “The conclusion of the series will see the weary traveller returning home to report on his findings.”

Here’s Karl’s 3MW on holidays…

[Guardian]