Harry Judd took up knitting when he “missed' his family while on Celebrity Race Across the World

Harry Judd took up knitting when he “missed” his wife and kids on ‘Celebrity Race Across the World’.

The McFly drummer was terribly homesick for his wife Izzy, 39, and their kids, daughter Lola, seven, and sons Kit, six, and Lockie, 22 months, when he took part in the star-studded edition of the BBC One travel competition and managed to cope when Emma - his partner on the show - suggested he take up needlework, calling it a “stitch and b****”.

The 37-year-old musician told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “I really missed my wife. And I went to Mum’s room and had a bit of a cry. She got this tapestry out that she does through the winter months. And she’d got me one. And I was thinking ‘OK'...

“Mum called it ‘stitch and b****’. It was really therapeutic so that is my one piece of advice [for anyone thinking of applying]. Get some tapestry – it’s the new rock’n’roll.”

Harry - who shot to fame in the 'Five Colours In Her Hair' band with Tom Fletcher, 38, Dougie Poynter, 35, and Danny Jones, 37, in the early 00s - reflected on his and his mother’s evolving relationship ever since he became a father.

He said: “I didn’t consider the impact that may have on Mum. It was just an exciting time for me. But now, having children myself, I can kind of relate to what Mum went through then.

“We would talk about everything. I learned so much about her life and childhood and that was probably the most special thing for me.”

Emma admitted she loved the “real opportunity” to jet across the planet with her ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star son.

She added: “It’s a great big world out there, stop fussing over silly things. It’s been a real opportunity, and the best bit was being with Harry.”