Race Across The World Champion Reflects on Life-Changing Victory
A former winner of the BBC's popular competition Race Across The World has spoken candidly about how his triumph on the show fundamentally altered the course of his professional life. Alfie Watts, who secured victory alongside his best friend Owen Wood in 2024, has revealed that the experience triggered a significant career transformation.
From Supermarket Worker to Television Host
Alfie Watts, now 22, has announced that he will be co-hosting a spin-off programme following the main show. This marks a dramatic shift from his previous employment, where he worked double shifts at Sainsbury's and as a teacher while saving for travel. "This is something Alfie at 15 would not be able to comprehend. And I'll be honest, Alfie at 22 can't quite believe it either," he shared in a recent social media post.
He described his journey as a "real rollercoaster" and emphasized the challenges behind his success. "I think it's really condescending when people say 'it's the stuff you don't see' because I do have the best job ever, but my word it's been tough to get here!" Alfie explained.
The Unlikely Path to Victory
Alfie's path to Race Across The World was unconventional. He left school without attending university and applied for the competition "as a joke", despite never having watched the show. For his 20th birthday, he purchased a dream holiday to Rio de Janeiro with Owen, which sparked his interest in global adventures.
The pair went on to win the 2024 series, covering over 14,000 kilometers from Japan to Indonesia across 50 grueling days. They clinched the £20,000 prize by a mere eight-minute margin after an emotionally charged journey.
Addressing Misconceptions About the Show
Since his victory, Alfie has built a substantial following as a travel content creator and has used his platform to clarify misconceptions about Race Across The World. He specifically addressed what he calls the "Sob Story' agenda" surrounding the series.
"When you apply, producers need to understand WHY you should do it, and that is driven through purpose," Alfie wrote. "Whether it's because you've had a fractious relationship with the person you're doing it with or whether it was your dad's dying wish for you to see the world. The semantics don't matter. The purpose? That's what matters."
He urged viewers not to diminish contestants' lives to simple sob stories, noting that his own experiences, including losing his mother at a young age, are part of his identity rather than a narrative device.
Gratitude and Future Plans
Reflecting on the one-year anniversary of completing the race in late 2024, Alfie expressed profound gratitude for the opportunities that followed. "This time last year I had no idea how my life would change. How I'd have 76 thousand people caring about my stupid life," he told his followers.
He credited his support network and his friendship with Owen for his success, vowing never to forget his humble beginnings. "I promise I will never lose sight of where I came from or where that boy in the last slide would dream his 21 year old self would be," Alfie affirmed.
New Series Launching Soon
The BBC competition is set to return for its sixth series, featuring five intrepid teams racing more than 12,000 kilometers across eight countries from Sicily to northern Mongolia. Contestants will face extreme challenges with no smartphones, internet access, or bank cards, relying on just £26 per person daily in their quest for the £20,000 prize.
Race Across The World returns on Thursday at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer, promising another season of high-stakes adventure and personal transformation.
