Latest news with #RaceAcrossTheWorld
Wales Online
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Race Across the World's Sioned reveals what she thinks of contestants after return to Wales
Race Across the World's Sioned reveals what she thinks of contestants after return to Wales Race Across the World came to an end after the competing teams of two trekked to the final checkpoint in the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari, in a bid to scoop a cash prize of £20,000 Race Across the World couple Fin and Sioned during the reunion episode (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert ) Race Across the World star Sioned Cray has shared some honest insight into how she feels about her fellow contestants upon her return to Wales. The popular BBC show came to a tense conclusion last week, with mother-and-son team Caroline and Tom Bridge coming in first place and scooping the £20,000 prize. Sioned, 20, joined the show alongside her partner, Fin, with the couple being the youngest participants to take part in the hit travel competition. The BBC star confessed 'coming home to Wales was a bit of a shock to the system', while Fin said he 'missed everything about the race', especially the 'suspense of not knowing where you're going to go next'. The young couple finished in third place. As the show has come to its gripping conclusion, instead of a nail-biting racing episode, this week's final instalment offered viewers a reunion among the players, with each duo reflecting on their experiences. For all the competing teams, many parts of the race proved to be difficult and emotionally taxing - and this was no different for Sioned and Fin. During the reunion episode, Sioned revealed there were times she didn't think she'd be able to carry on. She said: 'I think there were many times in India where I thought, 'I can't do this, I need to go home, not want to but I need to because this is too much'. Article continues below 'But, I'm really glad I just stuck it out because experiencing it has been really valuable.' In another update, posted on Instagram, Sioned offered further insight into her thoughts on her Race Across the World experience, as well as behind the scenes insight after reuniting with her fellow contestants Sioned described them all as being 'bonded for life'. Content cannot be displayed without consent She shared a carousel of images and penned: 'We had the sweetest reunion! We are genuinely bonded for life and like a little extra family. Who knew Race Across The World would result in SO MANY positives!? 'Not only positives for myself and my own journey, but positives for mine and Fin's relationship, positives in regards to sharing memories with strangers who have ultimately became our best friends and also positives when [it] comes to all of you watching!?' She then went on to thank viewers for all the 'kind messages' they 'received along the way', as well as the many 'kind words' that have been said to the couple 'in public'. Sioned branded the response as 'insane' while praising the 'whole process' of taking part in Race Across the World as 'so rewarding and so valuable'. The 20-year-old highlighted how important it was for her to have potentially helped many people who, like her, 'struggle with confidence' which may have stopped them from 'reaching goals or achieving things you desperately want to'. Fin was open about his Type 1 diabetes throughout their journey, and the couple were glad to have raised awareness of the condition. In the comments section, people shared their thoughts. One person declared: 'I love this program but what a great group you clearly are. 'A life changing experience for everyone one of you. You are all winners. The producers of this show really chose well.' Article continues below Another added: 'Going to miss watching you guys loved this series'.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Race Across the World secrets revealed from axed US route to future location hints
Race Across the World (RATW) producers have been spilling the secrets from behind the scenes of the hit show. Wednesday marked the end of the RATW series with it's reunion episode. The five teams — winners Caroline and Tom, sisters Elizabeth and Letitia, brothers Melvyn and Brian, teen couple Sioned and Fin as well as ex married couple Yin and Gaz — reunited for the first time six months after the race. The journey took them from The Great Wall of China, through Nepal to the southern tip of India Kanyakumari. From sharing hints about future locations to revealing the route that was cancelled, Production Executive Kezia Walker and Producer Lucy Curtis from Studio Lambert revealed everything that happens during filming RATW on and off camera. The RATW masterclass was presented by Televisual and Sony at The Producers in a video shared on YouTube. Race Across the World nearly had an entirely different name, producers revealed. The idea was pitched as "Flightless" because the idea centres around the contestants not being able to catch planes between the destinations. It was only later in the development stage that it would get the great name "Race Across the World". A Race Across the World (RATW) route that travelled through parts of the US had to be axed because of visa issues, Studio Lambert producers have said. Series two was meant to start in bustling New York City but the contestants didn't get their visa applications back in time. The Studio Lambert team had to make last minute changes to the race route, just weeks before beginning filming. Curtis said: "We prefer it when things go wrong when we are filming because it can become the story. The frustrating thing is if it goes wrong three days before we're about to start our filming. "On series two... our route was meant to be New York to the Argentina, the southern most tip Ushuaia, and about three or four weeks before we were due to start filming, we found out we weren't going to get our US visas in time. "So we had to pivot and set up a whole new launch in Mexico City. With three weeks to go. It ended up being a brilliant launch and loved doing it there." Leg 1 - Mexico City, Mexico to Copán Ruinas, Honduras Leg 2 - Copán Ruinas, Honduras to Panama City, Panama Leg 3 - Panama City, Panama to Tatacoa Desert, Colombia (flight to Jaén Airport) Leg 4 - Jaén, Peru to Puno, Peru Leg 5 - Puno, Peru to Cafayate, Argentina Leg 6 - Cafayate, Argentina to Ilha Grande, Brazil Leg 7 - Ilha Grande, Brazil to Mendoza, Argentina Leg 8 - Mendoza, Argentina to Ushuaia, Argentina The TV producers want things to go wrong during the race. In the 2025 series, viewers were outraged when Yin and Gaz and Caroline and Tom were stranded by the typhoon in China. The producers said disasters are part of the storytelling of race. Walker said: "The things that you think are going to be a problem actually like says that's where the story often comes from." In fact, in series one a huge problem from the recce also became a disaster on the race that played out on-screen. Curtis shared: "In series one our assistant producer who's doing it had to cross the Caspian Sea between Azabaijan and Kazakhstan. And there's no passenger ferries. There's freight ferries that go kind of once every 28 days or something. And on the ferry it broke down and he was stuck there for three days. And we asked him to do video diaries and his video diaries came through and they were just gold. "And we just knew this was going to be this he was sort of going slightly stir crazy in this cabin with Kazakhstani truck drivers. And then the same thing happened on the shoot. The ferry broke down again when we were filming." Sharing the secrets, one of the producers also hinted at possible routes for the future series. They said that there hadn't been any significant changes to the format because new locations and routes made the series feel fresh. Then there's also the new set of contestants who have their stories to share. However, the producers hinted they could be looking at returning to some of the destinations they have previously visited for future series. Curtis said: "We haven't actually made really any significant changes to the format of the show itself, just because filming in brand new locations every year makes it feel fresh. We always say that every time we film it, it films feels like a first series all over again because we're filming in a brand new part of the world. "Brand new challenges, brand new excitements and also the contributors there's unlimited stories to tell. We're casting at the moment and we've had this wish list of people that we're looking for. And all these people have come through that are nothing like the people on our wish list but are completely new in different ways. "And it just makes you think it you know it's sort of unlimited really the stories we could keep on telling and we've got other ideas which I'm probably not allowed to say about about how we can go back to places we've already been but do them in a kind of different way." RATW series one: London to Singapore RATW series two: Mexico City to Ushuaia, Argentina RATW series three: Vancouver to St John's, Newfoundland in Canada Celebrity series one: Marrakech, Morocco to Tromso, Norway RATW series four: Sapporo, Japan to Lombok, Indonesia Celebrity series two: Belem, Brazil to Frutillar, Chile RATW series five: Great Wall of China to India Race Across the World: The Reunion is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Race Across The World star breaks down in tears over 'bizarre' situation with ex in heart-wrenching reunion episode
Race Across The World star Yin broke down in tears as she broke down in tears over the 'bizarre' situation with her ex in Wednesday's heart-wrenching reunion episode. The fifth series of the BBC series wrapped up last week (11 June 2025) and fans were over the moon to see the cast back on their screens for a big old catch up. The instalment got very emotional, especially when exes Yin and Gaz - who were the first out of the show - opened up about their time on the programme. The former couple were married for more than 30 years but split three years ago. Speaking about how it works between the two, Gaz said: 'It probably has brought us more together. What we want in life for the pair of us is to just be happy.' He added: 'Whether I or Yin find love again, we will always be in each others' lives because we are just great friends. 'It probably looks bizarre to the outside world, but to us it's normal.' Yin looked touched as Gaz said: 'All I've ever wanted was the best for Yin and I'm just very proud of how Yin has become.' Yin also opened up about just how much being part of the much-loved series has changed her as a person. Talking to the camera, Yin said: 'Since leaving Race, I recognised that I was struggling already with what China means to me personally. 'My heritage is Chinese and I do identify as a Chinese person. 'Where I struggle is, with my upbringing, it was in a very traditional household. 'I didn't leave home on good terms with my parents.' Clearly getting very emotional at the dining table with the rest of her co-stars, she continued: 'Some of the struggles I went through are probably quite unique in the sense of because I look Chinese, I don't speak mandarin. 'I've struggled with my Chinese heritage.' She then explained that the death of her partner is what really encouraged her to take part. Yin continued: 'When I came back from Race I reconnected with my siblings and recognised that has to be addressed. 'The real gift that Race gave me was to address that then move forward with my life... 'My partner, who I had been with for three years, had passed away very suddenly in September 2023. 'One of the reasons to come on Race was to give me energy to see what is out there. 'The relief and lightness I now feel, I do feel like one of the biggest things that I've probably hanged about my self, life is there to live. 'It was the catalyst to enable me to move forward.' This year's series of Race Across the World hit our screens on 23 April. After nine episodes, the show finished last week. And it was mother-son duo Caroline and Tom who were crowned winners. It comes after Gaz left his ex-wife Yin emotional with a heart-wrenching confession live on Lorraine. Ranvir Singh stepped in for Lorraine and hosted the ITV morning show on Tuesday. The pair have been separated for three years and at one point during the interview, discussed their marriage breakdown on Lorraine. Gaz reflected: 'Like all break ups it was hard, I'm of that generation where what do you do? You try and blank it out, have a few beers and sort of forget about it.' He admitted that Yin 'helped' him and explained: 'She's an amazing person and I don't think I would be here if it wasn't for Yin. 'It wasn't that bad but it got to the point where I didn't like myself, I didn't like what I was doing, I just didn't want to be around anybody, very insular. 'Yin was the one that kept pushing me.' Yin appeared to be emotional as she interjected with praise for her former husband and said: 'He put in so much hard work and I'm just so proud of him.'
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Race Across the World's reunion episode was a charming farewell to one of its best series
Nobody really needed Race Across the World: The Reunion (BBC One). The race finished last week in an entirely satisfactory manner. However, the BBC likes to flog a hit for all its worth, so viewers got this follow-up programme anyway. I'm glad we did. It was a suitably life-affirming farewell to a heartwarming series. Six months since the globe-trotting contest climaxed at the southernmost tip of India, our five intrepid pairs gathered to reflect on their epic 14,000km odyssey across China, Nepal and India. Meeting up with friends you made on holiday often backfires. Once the tans fade and the sundowners stop flowing, so does the conversation. Happily, this was a lot less awkward. They met as strangers but are forever bound together by their shared experience. The forgotten team, former married couple Yin and Gaz, were knocked out before the midway mark but now gained a sense of closure. Yin tearfully admitted how she'd struggled with her heritage while travelling through China. Since returning home, she had built bridges with her family and made peace with her past. Sixtysomething siblings Brian and Melvyn, who finished fourth, rebuilt their brotherly bond on the road.'Things got a bit emotional but a cold beer sorted it,' said the typically phlegmatic Melvyn. Having emerged as the race's cult hero, he stole the show again, declaring, 'Up the oldies!' Still the cheering updates kept coming. Teenage sweethearts Fin and Sioned, who claimed the bronze medal, had caught the travel bug and since been on a trip around Australia. The race runners-up, sisters Elizabeth and Letitia, were inspired to build their own homestay in Kenya. Victorious mother-and-son duo Caroline and Tom were similarly reborn. Caroline was newly carefree, while Tom's confidence had blossomed so much that he was now self-employed and excitedly planning his next adventure. Those who had become tired of the sob stories won't have been appeased by some of the navel-gazing. There was plentiful talk of 'personal growth' and 'moving forward'. Yet the show and its participants are so likeably wholesome, it was hard to be too cynical. Caroline and Tom might have clinched the £20,000 prize but money was barely mentioned. Indeed, the winnings are so incidental to the show's magical mix, it's easy to forget there's cash involved at all. When it comes to Race Across the World, it truly is the taking part that counts. We were treated to unseen clips – cue backpack-laden dashes down streets, like panicking turtles – and breathtaking scenery. Everyone paid tribute to helpful locals and praised the kindness of strangers. Behind-the-scenes footage revealed how embedded film crews captured their every move. It made for a fascinating insight into the vast logistical operation required to make the show. My main complaint was that the location for the reunion – a wood-panelled suite at London's L'Oscar hotel – bore a distracting resemblance to the Round Table showdowns from BBC stablemate The Traitors. I kept expecting a tweed-clad Claudia Winkleman to pop up and demand that somebody be banished. Please, anyone but Melvyn. The last word went to winner Tom. 'It's important to enjoy the journey, as well as the destination,' he concluded. This was a celebratory, albeit non-essential, way to sign off. Now how about applying for next year's race?
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Race Across the World star sobs while recounting heartbreaking life 'struggles'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Race Across The World star Yin got emotional on tonight's reunion show while talking about what the show meant to her, and how it's changed her life. Yin was paired up with her former partner Gaz for the 14,000km race, which took BBC contestants from the Great Wall of China to Kanniyakumari, the southernmost tip of India. However, Yin and Gaz – one of five pairs – didn't make it too far, when they boarded a train that took them 250km in the wrong direction. They were the first to be eliminated from the show. In tonight's reunion episode, Yin tearfully reflected on the show. 'Since leaving Race, I realised I was struggling already with what China means to me personally,' she explained. 'My heritage is Chinese and I do identify as a Chinese person. Where I struggle is, with my upbringing, it was in a very traditional household. I didn't leave home on good terms with my parents. Explaining that her not being able to speak Mandarin was a personal struggle for her, Yin revealed the journey made her reconnect with her family. 'When I came back from Race, I reconnected with my siblings and I recognised that had to be addressed. I realised the real gift Race gave me was to address that and move on with my life,' she said. Opening up about why she applied for the show, Yin explained: 'My partner who I'd been with for three years had passed away very suddenly in September 2023. 'One of the reasons for coming on Race was to give me that energy to see what's out there.' Now Yin feels a 'relief and lightness' she explained, revealing she and Gaz had a 'brilliant' time travelling together after the show. Meanwhile, Gaz also brought a tear to many eyes when he reflected on their time together during the show, with many viewers saying the pair should get back together again. 'It probably has brought us more together. What we want in life for the pair of us is to just be happy,' he said. 'Whether I or Yin find love again, we will always be in each others' lives because we are just great friends. It probably looks bizarre to the outside world, but to us it's normal.' Yin looked touched as Gaz said: 'All I've ever wanted was the best for Yin and I'm just very proud of how Yin has become.' Sending the love right back at her former partner, Yin said through tears: 'Gaz is the most amazing, kind-hearted amazing person. I always want him to back me, because I don't think I could have done it without you.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: It's 20 years since Doctor Who's best finale – but not for reasons you think MORE: Amazon Prime fans have days to binge BBC historical drama hailed a 'masterpiece' MORE: 'Most divisive film of 2023' available to stream for free in coming days
