Christopher Stevens, TV critic, reviews the BBC1 show "Celebrity Race Across The World," highlighting its contrast with "Celebrity Traitors" and other reality programs.
Stevens suggests that "Celebrity Traitors" has negatively influenced his perception, leading him to expect "skulduggery and criminal behaviour everywhere." In contrast, "Celebrity Race Across The World" is presented as a show where participants "play fair."
The show features teams racing to Melbourne, Australia, over 5,000 miles away, with a budget of £840. Participants face challenges such as overnight buses, substandard accommodation, and unfamiliar food.
Among the contestants are Princess and Junior Andre, children of Peter Andre and Katie Price. Princess, 18, is noted for her confusion about geography, mistaking Malaysia for "Melissa." Her 21-year-old brother, Junior, is described as sensible, though concerned by his sister's lack of basic skills, such as knowing how to signal a bus to stop.
Jeff Stelling, former host of Sky's "Soccer Saturday," participates with his son Matt. Their dynamic is described as similar to the Andre siblings, with Matt being practical and anxious, while Jeff, 71, is portrayed as confident despite being a "walking disaster zone." They reportedly spent a significant portion of their budget on a taxi, missed the last bus, and booked a hotel, though they still managed to reach the first checkpoint.
Early frontrunners mentioned are Brit-winning singer Ella Eyre and her childhood friend Nana Pepera. Eyre, known for her 2013 No. 1 hit "Waiting All Night," is noted for releasing albums infrequently.
Beyond the competition, the review emphasizes that the show offers viewers a glimpse into destinations many would not otherwise experience. The program showcases aspects of local life, including speedboat taxis, dwarf coconut harvesting, rice-planting songs, and shamanistic rituals, with the promise of orangutan sightings.
Stevens concludes that the show is a "life-affirming" experience and the "perfect antidote" to the perceived negativity of shows like "Celebrity Traitors."