Gary and Danielle's NI exposure

The couple went Western-style horse back riding in County Down

Gary Lineker may be used to kicking balls, but rolling down a hill inside one was certainly a new experience for the former England footballer.

Zorbing, as it is known, was just one of the many activities the Match of the Day presenter and his fiancee, Danielle Bux, tried out on their adventures around Northern Ireland for the new BBC series of Northern Exposure.

The series, which was filmed over the past few months, sees Gary at the wheel of a vintage red Volkswagen convertible, which luckily the couple said did not break down once.

With Danielle acting as navigator, the couple discovered some of the hidden gems on offer in Northern Ireland.

As well as zorbing in Magherafelt, the couple went hovercraft racing near Limavady, western-style horseback riding in County Down and tried surfing at Whiterocks Beach in Portrush.

"The trip was a real eye-opener and what really stood out for us was the outstanding natural beauty of all the six counties in Northern Ireland," Gary said.

"I enjoyed driving the little red sports car.

"My ambition was to drive it through the whole of the series all the way through Northern Ireland without stalling it, but right at the end of the shoot I stalled it.

Gary and Danielle toured NI in a vintage Volkswagen convertible

"The car looks great, doesn't drive brilliantly, but it looks great.

"I have been here many times before both in my playing days and then later with Match of the Day, so I knew of the warmth of the people, but I didn't realise there was quite so much countryside and beautiful lakes everywhere.

"It really is the most stunning country and I think the thing we will take home more than anything else is the way we have been received and how warm everyone has been."

While Gary admits he is no fan of cold water, he said one of his best experiences on the trip was having a surfing lesson at Whiterocks Beach.

"I must say I'm not a great fan of really cold water and I had my fill of that," he said.

"I was in the sea and could just see the golf course at Royal Portrush and was half wishing I could have been on the greens, but once I got used to temperature of the water I had a great time."

Danielle said that although, on occasion, the weather was typically Irish it did not stop them really enjoying themselves.

'Natural beauty'

"It got quite cold in the car, but actually with the heaters on it was really fine," she said.

"It chugs along really well, but we got soaked as we left Belfast, it started to rain, water was coming in everywhere and the roof was leaking, but it was all part of the fun.

"We went to Portrush and the beach there was just absolutely breath taking the whole coastline was amazing and I was really taken aback by it."

Asides from the the natural beauty of the landscape, Danielle said she was impressed with the array of different activities on offer.

"There is just so much to do here, but my favourite day out was when we went Western style horse-riding in County Down," she said.

"I thought Northern Ireland's countryside was really beautiful, the people were just so warm and friendly and we will definitely be back in the future."

Gary and Danielle's Northern Exposure starts on Friday 24 July on BBC One Northern Ireland at 1930 BST.