One viewer said it was ‘too much’
Fans of Race Across the World have had their say on the fifth series of the BBC travel programme.
As it comes to an end, with the final episode airing on Wednesday evening, June 11, many viewers have been sharing their views on the last seven episodes. The fifth series of the BBC competition programme introduced us to five teams, former married couple Yin and Gaz, sisters Elizabeth and Letitia, young couple Fin and Sioned, brothers Brian and Melvyn, and mother and son duo Caroline and Tom.
While Yin and Gaz were eliminated after not reaching the third checkpoint, the four other teams have managed to travel all the way from the Great Wall of China at Huanghuacheng in China, through Nepal and into India.
The final checkpoint will be in Kanyakumari – the southernmost tip of India. The seventh episode saw Caroline and Tom reach first position while Brian and Melvyn ended up last with a 17-hour difference, despite finishing on top in the last checkpoint.
While it has undoubtedly been an exciting race for the competitors and the viewers watching from home, with many twists and turns along the way, some fans have expressed their feelings on the recent series and have called for change.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, some fans have asked for the series to show less “sob story” segments.
With each episode, viewers get to find out more about the contestants, who are often friends, family or couples, their lives before the race and their reasons behind taking part in it.
One fan, named @Wilderauthor, on X said: “This series producers have ruined Race Across the World with long drawn out sob story segments, it’s too much!
“People watch for the locations, the experiences, the excitement of the race across the world. Also it jumps too much, one moment they are stuck next they arrive, no info.”
Some fans agreed, with one saying: “Said exactly the same last night watching the show.”
While another fan, named @Supernovadragon on X, had this to say: “Please for future series, less sob stories and more racing. I’m getting bored of the stories.”
In response, another viewer remarked: “It’s fine getting to know the contestants but when it detracts from seeing the adventures there’s an issue”.
@ThornhillNina said: “These people are watchable enough, they are all worthy. Please stop forcing sob stories it’s not X Factor.”
But not everyone felt the same way.
One fan, named @lfc_lara, said: “I’m so obsessed with Brian and Melvyn from Race Across the World. To see older British men speak about their childhoods in the way they do is so moving and so important for reminding young men: your feelings are valid.”
Another fan agreed and responded with: “Watching it now, they are so open about their childhood trauma. Very moving.”
Viewers can watch the final of Race Across the World on Wednesday, June 11, at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
