The BBC is on a roll this autumn. Not content with giving us The Celebrity Traitors (aka one of the best pieces of TV currently on our screens), it’s also serving up a dose of glorious escapism this week thanks to Celebrity Race Across the World, which is set to air on BBC One this Thursday.
That’s right: some of Britain’s famous faces are back for a globetrotting trip that will see them race across a huge section of the world map with the aim of making it over the finish line first. The catch? They have to do it for the price of an airline fare between the start and end destinations – aka, not much money at all.
This year, the trip will be starting in the Caribbean and ending in Colombia's Peninsula de La Guajira and will involve four pairs (aka four celebs and their friends or family) making the trip.
It’s a mammoth undertaking – but who are the famous faces taking part?
Roman and Harleymoon Kemp
As their last names imply, these are the two kids of Spandau Ballet singer Martin, and singer Shirlie. As it turns out, Shirlie was asked to go on an earlier series of Celeb Race Across the World and was going to take her daughter, but “thought it sounded too hard.”
Now the siblings are racing instead.
“I came off all medication [antidepressants] over a year ago and the race was a good test for my anxiety,” Roman (who works as a TV presenter) said in a show Q&A. “It’s probably the best thing I’ve ever done on television, but doing the race itself was hell! I used to watch it and wonder why a contestant was crying – well, that was me.”
Oddly enough, the idea of taking their dad didn’t appeal – and they’re keen to prove they’re not nepo babies. “People think we are nepo kids with no idea of the value of money, but we wanted that taste of reality more than anyone,” Roman said.
Molly Rainford and Tyler West
A double celeb pairing! Rainford, 24, is an actor and singer, while West, 29, works as a DJ and presenter. The couple (who met on Strictly Come Dancing as contestants in 2022) decided to take the plunge as a way of spending quality time together.
“Neither of us took a gap year because we were working from such a young age, so it was a no-brainer to go and explore part of the world we hadn’t visited,” West said. “Diving straight out of our comfort zone was the best thing we could do and we got to spend proper time together.”
Clearly, it’s worked out. After the end of filming this, the pair got engaged. All together now: aww.
Anita and Bal Rani
Radio and TV presenter Anita Rani, 47, is racing with her retired dad Bal, who’s 69. They decided to do the race as a way of reconnecting with each other – Rani says that her family often didn’t go on holiday when they were younger as both parents were working.
“She said, ‘Dad, are you up for an adventure?’,” dad Bal explained. “I presumed it was a weekend away, but I’m not afraid of adventures and I wanted to get to know Anita better. We’re very similar: outgoing and independent, with the same sense of humour.”
Dylan and Jackie Llewellyn
Dylan Llewellyn is an actor who shot to fame by playing James in the beloved Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls – before following that up by appearing in the equally beloved show Big Boys.
Now 33, he took his 59 year old mum Jackie along on the trip as a way for the pair to spend some quality time together as adults.
“I’d always wanted to do an amazing adventure with a family member, and I’m a bit of a mummy’s boy,” he said, while Jackie was “terrified, but I thought I should push myself. It was also a fantastic chance to spend time with Dylan now that he’s all grown up.”
The pair called themselves ‘Team Tortoise’ because they were “so slow to get going.” Though time will tell how slow they actually were…
Celebrity Race Across the World airs on BBC One from November 6
