BBC viewers are divided over the latest series of Celebrity Race Across the World, with some complaining that the participants do not qualify as celebrities. The competition returned to television last month, sending a new group of well-known personalities on a 7,500 km adventure.
This year's line-up includes singer Ella Eyre and her close friend Nana, sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling and his son Matt, influencer Princess Andre and her brother, musician Junior Andre, and musician Sam Ryder with his tour manager Kaz. The teams are currently racing from Borneo through Southeast Asia to Australia, with the third leg of the race set to air in tonight's (November 11) episode.
Viewers question celebrity status
The show has attracted criticism online, with supporters questioning whether the contestants truly count as celebrities. One viewer on X, formerly Twitter, wrote: "Ok here we go again. #raceacrosstheworld with so-called celebrities. Influencers and off-spring of Z listers are NOT celebrities."
Another viewer posted: "I'm going to watch Race Across The World because I like the show but aside from Sam I'm really not fussed by the other 'celebs' I mean Katie Price's kids? Really?" A Reddit user added: "Children of mildly known celebrities are not celebrities, BBC."
Most of the criticism has been directed at celebrity siblings Princess and Junior, who grew up in the public eye due to their parents Katie Price and Peter Andre's fame. However, some viewers have defended the pair, arguing that Princess has built a celebrity profile in her own right.
Supporters defend the siblings
One defender on Reddit said: "Princess has had 3 seasons of her own reality show on ITV, plus been in 10+ different ITV shows of her parents remarkably expansive universe of reality shows. Starting with 'Kate and Peter the baby diaries' where she was the eponymous baby." The same fan added: "That's what celebrity is - people know who you are and she undeniably has that."
Another viewer said: "Though Junior and Princess don't have notoriety on their own merits in the same way some other contestants do, you also can't say that they're not famous in their own rights because they have been in the public eye since they were born." A third shared: "Who doesn't know about Katie Price and her children? You could even argue they are probably the most widely known people on the show."
Despite the criticism, Junior and Princess have become one of the standout pairings from the series. Last week, supporters gathered online to express their backing for the siblings. One said: "Anyone else really rooting for Princess and Junior Andre in race across the world or is it just me?" A fellow viewer responded: "Yes I am too as they're learning so much. I love how they interact with the locals and show kindness and respect. They're doing pretty well."
Celebrity Race Across the World continues tonight at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
