The BBC has announced the line-up for the upcoming series of Celebrity Race Across the World. A group of famous faces will swap their luxury lifestyles for an adventure around the world. The contestants taking part are from a range of backgrounds, including influencers, singers and sports broadcasters.
Four teams begin in Borneo
Four groups will leave their phones, credit cards and home comforts behind for the journey of a lifetime. Setting off from the vibrant city of Kuching, in the Malaysian state of Sarawak in North West Borneo, and the gateway to the island's vast wilderness, the pairs will tackle the most formidable race yet.
Taking part this year are Brit award-winning singer-songwriter Ella Eyre and childhood friend Nana, veteran sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling and his son Matt, influencer Princess Andre with her brother Junior Andre and acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician Sam Ryder with his best friend and tour manager Kaz.
What the producers say
Tim Harcourt, chief creative officer at Studio Lambert, said: "This year’s pairs navigate a journey that lays bare two extremes of today’s world. We can’t wait to share how they get on."
Contestants give unfiltered and honest reactions to the experiences they face that are as demanding as they are joyful. That’s so rare on television and it’s clear audiences love seeing their favourite stars deal with these daring challenges in spectacular worlds."
BBC said: "Leaving luxury behind them, these household names will be tested. Emotions will run high, and relationships will be transformed on an adventure as challenging as it is rewarding."
Format and previous cast
The teams will need to rely on their own resourcefulness, local transport and the kindness of strangers to make it further into the race, equipped with only a map and a budget of just £26 per person a day.
They will be following in the footsteps of last year's celebrity cast, made up of Anita Rani and her dad, Bal, Dylan Llewellyn and his mum, Jackie, DJ Tyler West and actor and singer, Molly Rainford, and Roman Kemp and his sister, singer-songwriter Harleymoon.
Full 2026 line-up and broadcast details
The full line-up includes Brit award-winning singer-songwriter Ella Eyre and childhood friend Nana; sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling and his son Matt; influencer Princess Andre with her brother Junior Andre; and singer, songwriter and musician Sam Ryder with his best friend and tour manager Kaz.
Jasmyn McGuile, commissioning editor at BBC Factual Entertainment and Events, said: "Audiences have been asking when the Race might reach Australia, so we are delighted that they will be able to experience this unique journey for the first time in Celebrity Race Across the World. With an adventurous start in Borneo's Sarawak rainforest, another series first, it makes for an unmissable opener for this year’s celebrity teams."
Celebrity Race Across The World will air this autumn and Race Across The World will return to BBC One and iPlayer next spring.
