BBC viewers have been left utterly astonished after discovering the true age of Celebrity Race Across the World contestant Dylan Llewellyn. The actor, famed for playing teenage and student roles, is in fact 33 years old, a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the show's fanbase.
From 'Young Pup' to Thirty-Something Star
The baby-faced star is currently racing 5,900km across Central America alongside his mother, Jackie, in the show's third celebrity season. The duo, who have affectionately been dubbed 'Team Tortoise' by fans for their lagging position, are competing with no mobile phones and a strict budget of £950 per person. Despite their struggles in the competition, their heartfelt journey has captured the nation's affection.
Fans took to social media platform X to express their disbelief at Dylan's age. One viewer wrote: "Dylan is 33? I thought he was like 17." Another added: "Dylan’s 33. Thought he was a young pup." The surprise stems from Llewellyn's well-known performances in hit series like Derry Girls and Big Boys, where he convincingly portrayed characters much younger than his actual years.
A Journey Marked by Heartbreaking Personal Tragedy
The mother-and-son team's adventure has been as emotionally charged as it is physical. In a poignant moment aired on the show, Jackie broke down in tears while travelling to Colombia, revealing the tragic loss of her first husband. She recounted how he was killed in a car accident just days before she gave birth to their first son, James.
The family's grief was compounded years later when Dylan's older brother, James, died by suicide at the age of 20. Dylan, who was 16 at the time, opened up about the profound impact, stating: "It just hit us all hard, so hard. Doing this race is like doing it for my brother and my mum." Jackie echoed this, saying the losses had irrevocably changed her.
Capturing Hearts as 'Everyone's Winners'
Despite trailing behind other teams in the race, Dylan and Jackie's authenticity and resilience have won over the audience. On social media, they have been crowned "everyone's winners", with one viewer posting: "They are both such lovely gentle souls. It has been a privilege to watch them."
The emotional depth they have brought to Celebrity Race Across The World has transformed them from simple competitors into beloved figures, proving that the race is about far more than just reaching the finish line first.
Celebrity Race Across The World continues on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
