The Bafta-winning BBC One Show Race Across the World has captured the imaginations of viewers thanks to its blend of travel, competition and personal stories. The current series sees five teams travel 15,000km from Japan to Indonesia with just £1,390, relying on local jobs to boost their meagre resources. “We see their mistakes and watch them gain confidence, and it’s cast brilliantly,” says TV critic Scott Bryan. The sense of authenticity and humanity displayed by the series has been praised by reviewers and contestants alike.
Mother and daughter Isabel and Eugenie have enjoyed the personal nature of the show, which they feel allows viewers to see themselves in them. “We’ve had many people approach us and say they can relate, with me as a mother and Isabel as a daughter,” says Eugenie. The pair saw their relationship deepen during the show as they gained a greater understanding of each other.
Stephen and Viv, who both had significant health problems in the past, were also moved by the kindness of strangers they met on their travels. “You get to see in people’s homes, which you wouldn’t on a normal holiday,” says Viv. “Holiday makers do miss a trick by not staying with the local people.” The show also reflects how much harder travelling without technology can be, as Stephen points out: “They put them out of their comfort zone, which makes for more interesting TV.”
Reviewer Rebecca Nicholson, writing in The Guardian, said the show is “TV that makes you feel that there is hope”. She described it as “a travelogue, a history lesson, an exploration of psychology, and a thrilling competition”. The personal aspects of the show have included tearful confessions of life-changing illness and loss, and have been lauded by viewers for their honesty and bravery.
The final of Race Across the World airs on 29 May, capping off another series of inspiring and emotionally engaging travel drama
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