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Childhood Friends Compete in BBC Travel Show Race Across the World

Two 19- and 20-year-old friends from Liverpool are the youngest pair in the current series of the BBC reality competition. The show requires contestants to travel 12,000 km across Europe and Asia without phones and with limited funds.

BBC News
1 source·May 20, 11:37 PM(8 days ago)·1m read
Childhood Friends Compete in BBC Travel Show Race Across the Worldthebetterindia.com
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Two childhood best friends from Liverpool are competing as the youngest duo in the current series of the BBC reality show Race Across the World. The pair, aged 19 and 20, are attempting to complete a 12,000 km journey from Sicily to northern Mongolia.

The BBC program challenges pairs to finish the route without phones and with limited cash. The first pair to reach the finish line receives a £20,000 prize. Ten contestants began the race, and only two can win the money.

He said the experience brought back memories from when he was 14 and his stepfather died during lockdown. The contestant added that watching the scene with his family was difficult but that public responses have been supportive. The friends said they entered the show partly as a joke after finishing their A-levels.

They have received attention from viewers, including requests for autographs at a basketball game.

Plans if They Win the Prize The pair said they would split the prize money equally if they win. One contestant said he would buy new shoes, take a holiday, and save the rest, while also planning to help his mother with a future house. The other contestant said the experience taught him there is no rush to make decisions and that people should do what they enjoy.

The finale airs on BBC One at 20:00 BST on Thursday 21 May.

Key Facts

Youngest duo
19- and 20-year-old friends from Liverpool
Race distance
12,000 km across Europe and Asia
Prize amount
£20,000 for the first pair to finish

Story Timeline

3 events
  1. Current series

    Two Liverpool friends aged 19 and 20 began the 12,000 km race from Sicily.

    1 sourceBBC News
  2. During the race

    One contestant visited a judo gym in Kazakhstan and reflected on his stepfather's death.

    1 sourceBBC News
  3. Thursday 21 May

    The finale of the current series airs on BBC One at 20:00 BST.

    1 sourceBBC News

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    The pair may receive more public recognition after the finale airs.

  2. 02

    Viewers may contact the contestant who shared his personal story about loss.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Confidence score65%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count233 words
PublishedMay 20, 2026, 11:37 PM
Bias signals removed1 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 1

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