Celebrity Race Across the World
Celebrity Race Across the World is a spin-off series of Race Across the World, where pairs of competitors race across an area of the world to reach a destination using any means of transportation other than by air. It uses a similar format to Race Across the World with some adjustments.
The celebrity spin-off series was first announced in 2019, but production was subsequently delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first series eventually aired on 20 September 2023 on BBC One Further series were commissioned and three series have been produced by 2025.
Format
The programme follows four pairs of celebrities who race to their final destination. The route is punctuated by a series of checkpoints, and the participants travel from checkpoint to checkpoint until they reach their final destination. Each episode focused on the race to one checkpoint; since the route is generally shorter than that of the regular version, there are consequently fewer checkpoints and episodes. For their travel expenses, each pair are given an amount of money equivalent to the price of a one-way plane ticket to the final destination. The teams can earn extra money by working along the route. The teams can only travel by land or sea, although flights may be arranged for the competitors under special circumstances.At the start of the race, each team are given an essential race kit including a GPS tracker, a map, and their budget money in cash, but their own mobile phone and bank card are removed. The teams are given a checkpoint they have to reach in every episode, a travel guide with jobs they can do along the way. Each team are always accompanied by at least a member of the production crew. The first team to arrive have the first choice on the work they can do in next leg, and other teams cannot choose the same job or excursion. The teams may be given extra instructions en route to their destination. Unlike the regular series, there is no elimination at any of the checkpoints, and the winning team receive no prize money.
Series overview
Series 1 (2023)
In an announcement on 3 October 2019, it was revealed that a celebrity spin-off series was in the works, but production was subsequently delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The production was delayed due to the Covid pandemic; On 27 July 2023, the BBC announced that the delayed celebrity edition of Race Across the World would air later that same year and revealed a route spanning 24 countries and over starting in Marrakesh, Morocco and finishing in Tromsø, Norway.In the same press release the BBC announced that the first celebrity series would consist of 6 episodes and revealed the four pairs of competitors as weather presenter Alex Beresford and his father, Noel; former All Saints singer Melanie Blatt and her mother, Helene; McFly drummer Harry Judd and his mother, Emma and former British F4 Racing Driver Billy Monger and his sister, Bonny. It aired on 20 September 2023 after a week delay due to an earthquake in Morocco where the first episode was filmed.
Series 2 (2024)
It was announced by the BBC on 30 July 2024 with a transmission date of 14 August 2024. The location started in Belem, Brazil and finished in Frutillar, Chile.In the same press release the BBC confirmed that the series would once again consist of 6 hour-long episodes and revealed the four pairs of competitors as broadcaster Jeff Brazier and his son, Freddy; actor Kola Bokinni and his cousin, Mary Ellen; former model Kelly Brook and her husband, Jeremy and BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills and his husband Sam.
Series 3 (2025)
The racers were announced on 18 September 2025: broadcaster and writer Anita Rani and her dad, Bal; actor Dylan Llewellyn and his mum, Jackie; partners, presenter and DJ Tyler West and actor and singer, Molly Rainford and broadcaster Roman Kemp and his sister, singer-songwriter, Harleymoon.The race started from Isla Mujeres in Mexico and finishing on the Peninsula de la Guajira in Colombia, a distance of 5,900km. It was won by Roman and Harleymoon, who narrowly beat Molly and Tyler in a foot race.