Anita Rani and her dad Bal Singh Nazran have revealed they were mistaken for refugees during filming for the new Celebrity Race Across The World series.
Bal says the confusion happened in Mexico, as they were asking hostel staff where the border was.
“We were filming in a hotel in Mexico and the owners thought we were refugees,” he said, according to the MailOnline.
“It is because we kept asking where the border was, as we were obviously trying to get to the next location point.
“We were asking this hotel at night and we were asking where the border was.
“And because they did not speak any English they translated on their mobile phone and kept asking if we needed sanctuary.”
“We were asking how to get to the border and there we are, these cultural ambiguous looking brown people in Central America,” Anita added.
“Also on this trip dad stayed at his first ever back packers [hostel] and they were all playing pool and everyone was really young. They were just tattooing each other.
“They were like 16 or 17-year-olds from all over the world and I was like ‘Now dad. You are going to see people smoking weed.’ He was like ‘as long as I don’t get high!’”
The hit BBC travel competition strips away the usual trappings of fame, challenging celebrity contestants and their chosen companions to navigate thousands of miles across unfamiliar terrain.
This year, the route spans over 5,900 kilometres from Isla Mujeres in Mexico to the remote La Guajira peninsula in Colombia.
Among the line-up are broadcaster Roman Kemp and his sister Harleymoon.
Presenter and DJ Tyler West is also participating with his actor and singer partner Molly Rainford.
Dylan Llewellyn, best known for Derry Girls and Big Boys, is also taking part with his mum Jackie.
Similar to previous seasons, they stars will rely on public transport, limited funds, and their own instincts — offering viewers not just an adventure across countries, but an insight into the relationships that drive each team forward.
Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 is coming to iPlayer and BBC One from Thursday November 6 at 8pm.
