And they'll each be taking a family member along with them on the journey from Africa to the Arctic!
With three hit series of Race Across The World on the BBC, it was only a matter of time before a celebrity series emerged and after a delay due to Covid, Celebrity Race Across The World is almost here as four celebrities will each be taking a family member with them as they take on all the difficulties of a race across the world.
The journey across the six-part series will take them from Africa to the Arctic as they compete in the hope of winning this tough race at ground level.
Revealed at a press launch in London, which I Talk Telly attended, the famous faces embarking on their travels are, broadcaster Alex Beresford and his dad, Noel, British Racing Driver and pundit Billy Monger and his sister, Bonny, McFly drummer Harry Judd and his mum, Emma and singer Mel Blatt and her mum, Helene.
Starting in Marrakech, Morocco, the most north-western country in Africa, and ending in Tromsø, Norway, known as the Arctic capital, the epic journey will span 24 countries and over 10,000 km.
The route will see the pairs race through every landscape and culture that this part of the world has to offer: from the great North African city of Marrakech, through the seaside ports and beaches of the Mediterranean, to unrivalled historic and cosmopolitan cities, the mighty Alps, unexplored Central Europe, the fairy-tale Baltic States, and snowy Scandinavia.
In this six-part celebrity version, the four celebrities and their racing partners will race to a finish line that’s thousands of miles away, without the use of air travel or any trappings of modern-day life.
Stripped of all mod-cons and all luxuries they will have to rely on their skills, cunning, ingenuity, and hard work in order to succeed. Without the use of credit cards, smartphones or access to the internet and with just the cash equivalent of completing the route to their final destination by air, they will have to earn extra money along the way as well as call upon the kindness of strangers to help them progress.
This incredible journey will give a unique insight into the celebrities and their relationships with their travelling companions.
On why they decided to sign up for Celebrity Race Across The World, Alex Beresford said "I thought it was a fantastic opportunity to do something that we've never done before. Neither of us have ever backpacked, so it's a new experience. And, also, just to see some amazing places! Across continents and across countries, and you’re getting to see everything at ground level, so it’s completely different to just flying over – getting to immerse yourself in different cultures and communities."
To which his father, Noel Beresford, added "I’m into exploring new things, so this seemed like a good opportunity to see all the different cultures and how other people live and see how we get on."
Billy Monger said "We’ve spoken about travelling before, but it would probably be a little bit different to what I imagine this is going to be like - in terms of doing everything on such a budget and staying in hostels and being tight on money for food. With this opportunity, I spoke to Bon about it, and she said it could be quite cool. So, we sat down and watched the previous series and got more and more into it and then decided why not!"
To which his sister, Bonny Monger, added "We've always spoken about travelling and going and doing something together, but we’ve never actually been organised enough to do it. With this, it’s not organised for us, and we have to do it ourselves so it’s kind of like being thrown in the deep end and you've just got to do it."
Harry Judd said "I never travelled when I was younger. I travelled with the band, but I never properly did backpacking and I always wanted to. I think the same applies for my mum, she always wanted to but started a family when she was 22."
To which his mother, Emma Judd, added "Yeah, I was young and one thing I think that I’ve missed in my life, not that I regret it, was actually backpacking and going off on an adventure like this. So, when Harry had the opportunity come along, I thought what could be better than going on an adventure with my son!"
And Mel Blatt said "For the experience, to be out of my comfort zone, to do something that I wouldn't necessarily choose to do on my own. I’m definitely up for challenges and pushing myself… And this is what mum does all the time!"
To which her mother, Helene Blatt, added "I like to discover new things and have experiences and it’s one of my passions – travelling, having new experiences."
Celebrity Race Across The World has been series produced Lucy Curtis with Kezia Walker as Production Executive and Lucy Shepherd, Tim Harcourt, Jo Harcourt-Smith and Mark Saben as Executive Producers.
Celebrity Race Across The World launches later this year on BBC One