BBC reality series have been some of the biggest hits of the year, with The Traitors and Gladiators keeping families glued to the TV. Now another popular show is back with a celebrity edition.
Race Across the World invites a group of couples to travel across a continent (or large country) on a budget, without a phone, and with no prior knowledge of where they’ll be starting from.
If you want to know when Celebrity Race Across the World UK is returning, who’s taking part and where it’s taking place, we’ve got everything you need to know. You can also read everything we know about the celebrity edition of The Traitors.
When is Celebrity Race Across the World UK 2024 airing?
You don’t have to wait much longer, because Celebrity Race Across the World is returning to Wednesday 14 August at 9pm BST on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Each episode will then be released weekly. However, BBC iPlayer will be releasing the first two episodes back to back, so you can watch next week’s in advance.
Celebrity Race Across the World UK 2024 will feature six episodes in total.
Where is Celebrity Race Across the World UK 2024 taking place?
This year we’re heading to South America, with the race kicking off in Belém in northern Brazil, the gateway to the Amazon.
Each group will have to complete five checkpoints on the continent before reaching their final destination in the Andes, Frutillar, in southern Chile. The journey covers approximately 12,500 km.
Is there a trailer for Celebrity Race Across the World UK 2024?
Yes! You can watch the first trailer below:
Who are the couples for Celebrity Race Across the World UK 2024?
Four celebrities will be jetting off with their loved ones for the adventure of a lifetime. You can read their full profiles on the BBC news site.
TV presenter Jeff Brazier and his son Freddy
Jeff Brazier rose to fame as a contestant on Shipwrecked. He went on to present shows such as I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! NOW!, Finders Keepers and This Morning.
He will be accompanied by his son Freddy, who is looking forward to being together as a family on this adventure: “Dad has a busy life, he works a lot and there aren’t many moments when we do things together. But when we do, I’m really lucky, whether it’s going to the movies or to the driving range, everything goes well.”
Meanwhile, Jeff is looking to make the most of his travels: “I can rough it and we hope to do a bit of that during the adventure, but I can also appreciate some of the luxuries, some of the places we’ve visited and discovered have been a privilege as well.”
Presenter Kelly Brook and her husband, Jeremy
Presenter, model and actress Kelly Brook is best known for her series Survival Island, Fishtales, Celebrity Juice and Britain’s Got Talent. Her husband Jeremy Parisi, who she married in 2022, will join her for the show.
For Kelly, the series is a dream come true: “I think Jeremy and I were looking for a new adventure to do together and we love to travel. And it seemed like the dream to get to the airport and not know where you’re going.”
In the meantime, Jeremy may find the social side a little more difficult: “It will be for Kelly because I’m more shy. I think I’ll talk to strangers because I have no choice and because it’s a race and I want to win. But Kelly will be better than me… She’s more charming so she’ll talk in a better way.”
Actor Kola Bokinni and his cousin, Mary Ellen
Kola Bokinni rose to fame on the hit series Ted Lasso on Apple TV+. He has also appeared in Black Mirror and Top Boy.
He brings along his cousin, Mary Ellen, who was honored to be chosen. “Kola called me and said, ‘Hey, Mary, do you want to be on the show with me?’ I said, ‘Oh my God, did you think of me?’ I just want to make memories with my cousin, I guess, and have the adventure of a lifetime.”
Mary Ellen is eager to get to the next place, but Kola doesn’t lose sight of the goal. “She’s going to get lost in this. She’s going to feel like this is her life now. And she’s like, ‘No, we have to move on.’ Trust me, you’re going to see it. In two days.”
Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills and his fiancée, Sam
Radio DJ Scott Mills was a fixture on Radio 1 for years with Chris Stark, and now hosts his own show on Radio 2. He’s tackling Race Across the World with his husband (then fiancé) Sam.
For Scott, this adventure will be the ultimate challenge before the couple gets married: “…if we can get through this, we can get through anything. I have no doubt we will, but that’s part of the reason I wanted to do it. I also really want to throw away my phone for a while. I couldn’t do that again.”
The couple are used to the classic beach holiday and Sam says they are looking forward to something different. “I’m not afraid of sleeping on a train or a bus. I think it’s the backpacking experience, I’m probably experiencing it 12 years too late, but at least I’m experiencing it.”
How to watch Celebrity Race Across the World UK 2024 from abroad
The only problem with Race Across the World returning so soon is that it may conflict with any summer vacation you have planned.
If you can’t wait until you’re home to catch all the action, don’t worry. You can still access BBC iPlayer live, with the help of a VPN.
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) allow you to browse the internet securely and privately by redirecting your IP address. One of the main benefits of using a VPN is that you can connect to servers located all over the world, so websites think you’re based in another country.
We found NordVPN to be the best for unblocking BBC iPlayer thanks to its wide range of servers, affordable prices, and simple interface. There are other options you can check out.
If you’re travelling during the Celebrity Race Across the World UK 2024 broadcast, you can use this method, provided you have a TV licence of course. You can find more information in our VPN for iPlayer guide.
Here are the steps to follow:
Sign up for NordVPN
Jim Martin / Foundry
You can sign up here. By default, the Complete plan is selected, but if you only need the VPN, click Get Standard Plan. At the top, choose between a two-year, one-year, and one-month plan.
Follow the instructions to create your account and pay.
Install the NordVPN app
Jim Martin / Foundry
If you are using a phone or tablet, simply go to its app store and search for NordVPN, then install it.
If you’re using Windows, log in to your NordVPN account in a web browser, go to the Downloads section, and click Download app next to Get NordVPN for Windows. Run the downloaded file to install it.
NordVPN Launched
Jim Martin / Foundry
Launch the app and log in using the email address and password you entered when creating an account with NordVPN. On Windows, you should see a screen like this, but other apps are very similar.
Use the list of locations (the word icon in the top left) or scroll to the UK and tap Connect to London. If prompted, allow NordVPN to set up a VPN connection. You may need to enter your Windows password or, on a mobile device, your passcode.
Wait for the VPN to connect
Jim Martin / Foundry
You should see a message telling you that the VPN is connected. You can see it with the green CONNECTED and a padlock over the United Kingdom.
Open iPlayer
Jim Martin / Foundry
Log in to your BBC account (create one if you don’t have one), then search for something to watch. The game should work fine, as the VPN makes it look like you’re in the UK.
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