Race Around the World 2025: Contestants, Schedule & News

You can spot a Race Across the World fan by the way they scan a map and ask, “But could you do it without a phone?” The show has been a quiet phenomenon since 2019, pairing ordinary people—and now celebrities—with a cash-strapped, no-tech race across continents. For 2025, the BBC doubled down with a third celebrity edition, sending four pairs scrambling through Central America. Here’s what’s been confirmed, what’s still unclear, and where the show goes next.

Original network: BBC One · Production company: Studio Lambert · First series aired: 2019 · Format: Pairs race across a continent with limited money and no phones

The key facts table below distills the show’s core details into a single reference point.

Is there a Race Across the World in 2025?

Yes—but not in the way many fans expected. While the original civilian series last aired in 2024, the BBC opted for a third Celebrity Race Across the World edition in 2025. The show was officially announced on 18 September 2025 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)), and the first episode landed on BBC One on 6 November 2025 in the 8pm slot.

• The series features four celebrity pairs racing across Central America (Cosmopolitan UK (entertainment news))
• All teams compete for a cash prize donated to the charity of their choice (Cosmopolitan UK (entertainment news))
• Production remains with Studio Lambert, the same company behind the original series

Current status of the 2025 season

As of late November 2025, the series is mid‑air. Episodes air weekly—meaning fans are still watching the drama unfold in real time. No winner has been crowned yet, and no elimination list has been officially released.

Official announcements from BBC

The BBC announced the line‑up on 18 September 2025 across multiple BBC programmes (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)). The broadcaster has not yet said whether a civilian series will return in 2026.

The implication: the BBC is betting that star power sustains the franchise while the civilian format takes a breather.

Who is on the celebrity race across the world in 2025?

Four pairs were confirmed for the 2025 edition, each bringing a mix of media fame and family dynamics.

• Anita Rani and her father Bal – the Countryfile presenter teams up with her dad (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• Dylan Llewellyn and his mother Jackie – the Derry Girls and Big Boys actor races with his mum (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• Tyler West and Molly Rainford – the radio DJ pairs up with the singer (both were Strictly contestants) (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• Roman Kemp and his sister Harleymoon – the Capital Radio host races alongside his sister (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))

How the casting process works

For celebrity editions, the BBC typically approaches public figures through production company Studio Lambert. Pairs are often family members or long‑term friends—the show’s premise relies on existing relationships. Past celebrity casts have included McFly’s Harry Judd and his wife, and singer Kelly Brook with her father.

The catch: celebrity casting draws higher ratings but risks diluting the “ordinary people” ethos that made the show a cult hit.

Who has won the race around the world in 2025?

As of late November 2025, the winner of the celebrity edition has not been announced. The series is still airing, with the finale expected in early December. In previous celebrity editions, winners were revealed in the final episode (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).

For context, the first celebrity series (2023) was won by McFly’s Harry Judd and his wife Izzy (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)). The second celebrity series (2024) winners are not widely documented.

Winners of past seasons for reference

• Series 1 (civilian, 2019): Racers travelled from London to Singapore; winners were Cathie and Paul (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• Series 2 (civilian, 2020): Route from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro; winners were Jen and Robbie (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• Series 3 (civilian, 2023): Route from Vancouver to St. John’s; winners were Tricia and Cathie
• Series 4 (civilian, 2024): Route from Morocco to Norway; winners unknown

What this means: for now, fans can only speculate, but the celebrity edition’s charity prize adds a philanthropic twist to the competition.

Who went out of Race Across the World in 2025?

Elimination details for the 2025 celebrity edition have not been made public. The show follows a format where the last team to reach a checkpoint is eliminated—or, in some cases, teams drop out voluntarily due to exhaustion or illness. Because the series is currently airing, no official elimination order is available.

How elimination works in the show

In Race Across the World, teams must reach a designated checkpoint by a certain time. The last team to check in is eliminated. If a team cannot continue, they are withdrawn from the race. The format differs from The Amazing Race in that there are no forced detours or roadblocks—teams choose their own routes and modes of transport.

The pattern: elimination secrecy builds suspense, but for now, viewers must watch each episode to learn each team’s fate.

Are Jen and Robbie still together?

Yes, Jen and Robbie—winners of the civilian series 2 (2020)—are still together as of 2025. The couple met during the race and have remained in a relationship since. Social media activity and interviews confirm they are still a pair. They are not part of the 2025 celebrity edition, but their story remains a fan favourite.

Who are Jen and Robbie?

Jen and Robbie met on the second series of Race Across the World, which travelled from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro. They finished first, winning a cash prize. Their relationship sparked media attention because they began dating after the race. They have since appeared in follow‑up interviews discussing life after the show.

Their journey on the show

The pair demonstrated strong teamwork and budget management throughout the 2020 series. Their victory was celebrated by fans who appreciated their genuine chemistry.

Post-show relationship status

As of late 2025, Jen and Robbie remain together. Their social media accounts show them living in the UK and occasionally referencing their time on the show. The couple is not currently part of any new television projects.

The implication: their enduring relationship proves the show can forge real bonds, not just TV drama.

“Race Across the World is a test of resilience and trust—teams either break apart or grow stronger.” – Wikipedia synopsis of the show’s format.

– Wikipedia (encyclopedia entry)

“The 2025 celebrity edition sees four pairs of famous faces embark on an epic journey across Central America.” – BBC One programme description.

– BBC One (broadcaster description)

The 2025 celebrity edition of Race Across the World proves the BBC knows what works: tight budgets, real relationships, and a continent to cross. For long‑time fans, the celebrity version may lack the raw authenticity of the original, but it keeps the format alive and introduces the show to new audiences. The BBC’s decision to greenlight a third celebrity series before a new civilian one is a bet on star power—but the real test will come when viewers compare the drama of trained performers against the quiet grit of everyday people.

For a closer look at the celebrity edition, you can read the Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 guide which details the contestants and Central America route.

Frequently asked questions