BBC's Destination X is gearing up for its second series, and former contestant Daren Parr has shared exclusive behind-the-scenes details, including a moment when producers reprimanded him for a joke about host Rob Brydon.
Contestant's Joke Causes Stir
As the show prepares for its return, Parr, a taxi driver who narrowly missed the final, recalled an incident in Austria. During an elimination segment, Brydon boarded the bus wearing a brown sheepskin jacket. Parr quipped, 'It's John Watson,' prompting laughter from the cast. However, the director immediately interjected over the speakers, saying, 'Daren, you can't do stuff like that.'
Parr admitted he enjoyed bantering with Brydon, but the producers were quick to enforce the show's serious tone during eliminations.
Strict Rules on Set
Parr revealed that contestants faced stringent regulations. They were banned from wearing branded clothing and were escorted to a 'safe area' each night, surrounded by a 10-foot wall, security guards, and a medical officer to prevent cheating.
'There were 48 vehicles following that bus,' he explained. 'They built this safe area every night. No one could cheat.'
Other rules included using only the bus's toilet cubicle, wearing headphones and goggles when disembarking, and no watches allowed.
Authenticity of the Show
Despite the strict environment, Parr emphasized that the show was genuine. 'What you saw is what you've got. They did not re-take anything once,' he said, adding that the only retake involved his joke.
Destination X, which aired its first series last summer, features 13 contestants traveling across Europe on a blacked-out bus, solving challenges to determine their location. The second series is expected to air later this year on BBC iPlayer.
