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Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 – Contestants, Winner, Route Details

Arthur Oliver Davies Thompson • 2026-04-22 • Reviewed by Ethan Collins

BBC One launched the third season of Celebrity Race Across the World on November 6, 2025, sending four pairs of celebrities on an extraordinary 5,900-kilometre journey through Central America. The competition began in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, and concluded at Península de la Guajira in Colombia, with teams required to complete the route without access to flights, phones, or the internet.

The series marked the most ambitious route yet for the reality travel programme, testing the endurance and navigation skills of its participants across six weekly episodes. Unlike previous seasons, the 2025 edition faced unexpected complications during filming, including a significant routing change that forced teams to bypass an entire country.

Among the competitors were familiar faces from British television, including radio presenters, actors, and journalists, each paired with a family member for the challenge. The competition culminated in a dramatic finale that saw the winning team cross the finish line just minutes ahead of their nearest rivals.

Who are the Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 contestants?

The third season featured four confirmed celebrity teams, each comprising a public figure paired with a close family member. The line-up was officially teased on September 17, 2025, through cryptic clues posted on the BBC Instagram account, including references to an EastEnders sign, Woman’s Hour radio, and location markers for Surrey and Londonderry.

Who is Dylan Llewellyn in Celebrity Race Across the World 2025?

Dylan Llewellyn, 33, brought his experience from Derry Girls and Beyond Paradise to the competition, paired with his mother Jackie Llewellyn for the journey. Fans had speculated about Llewelyn’s potential involvement, with particular interest in how his reported humour and map-reading skills might translate to the challenge. The actor’s participation marked a notable addition to the celebrity roster, bringing television recognition to the show’s ensemble cast.

Key pairings

The four competing teams consisted of Roman Kemp with sister Harleymoon Kemp, Molly Rainford with fiancé Tyler West, Anita Rani with father Bal Nazran, and Dylan Llewellyn with mother Jackie Llewellyn.

Complete contestant roster

Celebrity Age Profession Partner Relationship
Roman Kemp 32 Podcast/radio/TV presenter Harleymoon Kemp Sister
Molly Rainford 24 Actress/singer Tyler West Fiancé
Anita Rani 47 TV presenter/journalist Bal Nazran Father
Dylan Llewellyn 33 Actor Jackie Llewellyn Mother

Overview and key insights

  • The competition covered 5,900 kilometres from Isla Mujeres, Mexico, to Península de la Guajira in Colombia
  • Teams were prohibited from using flights, mobile phones, or internet access throughout the race
  • The series comprised six weekly episodes aired on BBC One from November 6, 2025
  • Filming encountered complications when Nicaragua denied permission to cross its territory
  • Teams were required to fly from the border to Liberia, Costa Rica, to continue the route
  • The show was executive produced by Rob Fisher, Tim Harcourt, Emma Peach, and Charlotte Woolley
  • Roman Kemp had previously demonstrated endurance capabilities during his time on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
Filming restrictions

The production team faced a significant obstacle when Nicaraguan authorities refused permission for filming. This required teams to be flown from the Nicaraguan border to Liberia in Costa Rica, fundamentally altering the planned overland route through Central America.

What are the Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 episodes?

The third season consisted of six episodes, each documenting a segment of the celebrity teams’ journey through Central America. While detailed episode-by-episode breakdowns remained limited in availability, the series maintained its focus on the emotional and physical challenges faced by contestants as they traversed diverse landscapes and navigated unfamiliar territories.

Details on the series 3 final

The finale delivered considerable drama as the leading teams approached the finish line at Península de la Guajira. Roman Kemp and Harleymoon Kemp ultimately claimed victory, securing their place in the competition’s hall of fame alongside previous champions Scott Mills and Sam Vaughan, as well as Alex and Noel Beresford from earlier seasons.

Molly Rainford and Tyler West finished in second place, crossing the line just two minutes after the winners. Anita Rani and her father Bal Nazran completed the podium in third position, arriving approximately six hours behind the leading team. Dylan Llewellyn and Jackie Llewellyn were forced to withdraw before reaching the final destination due to what were described as budget constraints, finishing in fourth place overall.

Withdrawal details

Dylan Llewellyn and Jackie Llewellyn withdrew from the competition prior to the final stage. According to reports, budget issues necessitated their exit before completing the full route to Colombia.

Who won Celebrity Race Across the World 2025?

Roman Kemp and his sister Harleymoon Kemp emerged victorious in the 2025 season, delivering a particularly compelling performance given Roman’s background as a radio and television presenter. The duo navigated the challenging Central American terrain to become the third pair to win the competition since its inception.

The victory added to Roman Kemp’s credentials as an endurance competitor, following his participation in other demanding reality formats. His sister Harleymoon joined him as a fully fledged race partner, contributing her own strengths to their successful campaign.

Critical reception of the season remained relatively subdued in available reviews, though fan discussions highlighted the dramatic nature of the finale and the competitive spirit displayed across all teams. The narrow margin between first and second place, separated by just two minutes, generated particular viewer interest.

When was Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 filmed?

Production for the third season commenced in 2025, with filming concentrated in the months preceding the November broadcast window. The production team encountered immediate difficulties when attempting to establish the intended route through Central America.

Initial shooting took place in Isla Mujeres, a small island off the coast of Cancún, Mexico, where the race officially began. The planned itinerary would have seen contestants travel overland through Guatemala and into Nicaragua before reaching Costa Rica and eventually Colombia.

However, the production received communication that Nicaraguan authorities had denied permission for filming within the country’s borders. This necessitated a logistical adjustment whereby teams reached the Nicaraguan border before being transported by air to Liberia, Costa Rica. From there, they continued their journey toward the finish point on the Colombian peninsula.

Timeline of Celebrity Race Across the World 2025

  1. September 17, 2025: BBC teased the upcoming cast line-up through cryptic Instagram posts featuring location-based clues
  2. September 18, 2025: Full contestant roster officially announced to the public
  3. November 6, 2025: Episode 1 premiered on BBC One
  4. December 2025: The series concluded with the final episode revealing the winning team

Key facts at a glance

Fact Details
Series announcement September 2025
Broadcast premiere November 6, 2025
Total episodes 6
Route distance 5,900 kilometres
Starting point Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Final destination Península de la Guajira, Colombia
Number of teams 4
Winner Roman Kemp and Harleymoon Kemp

What remains uncertain about the series?

While several aspects of the third season are well-documented, certain details continue to elude confirmation. The precise episode-by-episode breakdown with specific challenges and route segments has not been publicly released, limiting detailed analysis of individual instalments. For more details on the Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 contestants and route, visit thecitypost.co.uk.

Established information Unconfirmed details
All four celebrity pairings and their relationships Specific challenges faced in each country
Exact start and finish locations Detailed daily itinerary during filming
Final standings and margin of victory Individual episode ratings and viewership figures
Original announcement date in September 2025 Full extent of budget issues affecting Dylan Llewellyn’s withdrawal
Bypass of Nicaragua due to denied filming permission Speculation about potential fourth season

How does series 3 compare to previous seasons?

The third season of Celebrity Race Across the World maintained the core format established in previous years while introducing its own distinctive elements. The 5,900-kilometre route represented one of the longest distances covered in the show’s history, stretching from the Caribbean coast of Mexico through Central America to the northern tip of South America.

The decision to pair celebrities with family members proved central to the programme’s appeal, with each relationship bringing different dynamics to the competition. Roman Kemp’s victory joined him in the winner’s circle alongside Scott Mills and Sam Vaughan from season one, establishing a growing hall of fame for the programme.

Filming complications arising from the Nicaraguan routing change introduced an element of unpredictability not present in prior seasons. The forced air transport between countries represented a departure from the strictly overland philosophy that had characterised the show, though it remained within the established parameters of the competition’s restrictions on air travel.

Sources and further reading

The production faced unexpected challenges when permission to film in Nicaragua was denied, necessitating a significant route adjustment that required teams to be flown to Costa Rica to continue their journey.

Radio Times, December 2025

For additional context on reality competition formats, readers may find it useful to explore related coverage of Sharon Osbourne Big Brother – Exit Reasons, Timeline and Controversies or Chicago PD Season 11 – Premiere, Episodes, Cast, Where to Watch.

Summary

Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 delivered another compelling season of travel-based competition, with Roman and Harleymoon Kemp emerging triumphant after their 5,900-kilometre journey from Mexico to Colombia. The six-episode series overcame filming complications including route changes through Central America to provide engaging content for BBC One audiences. While Dylan Llewellyn and Jackie Llewellyn were forced to withdraw before the finale due to budget constraints, the competition showcased the endurance and determination of all participating teams. The programme continued its tradition of pairing celebrities with family members, creating emotional storylines alongside the physical challenges of the race.

Frequently asked questions

Has Celebrity Race Across the World been renewed for 2026?

No confirmed announcement regarding a fourth season had been made as of the information currently available.

What was the total distance of the Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 route?

The competition covered approximately 5,900 kilometres from Isla Mujeres, Mexico, to Península de la Guajira, Colombia.

Why did Dylan Llewellyn withdraw from the competition?

Dylan Llewellyn and his mother Jackie Llewellyn withdrew from the race before the final stage due to budget issues.

How many episodes comprised the third season?

The third season consisted of six weekly episodes broadcast on BBC One.

When did Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 start airing?

The first episode premiered on BBC One on November 6, 2025.

Who were the four competing celebrity pairs in 2025?

The teams were Roman Kemp with Harleymoon Kemp, Molly Rainford with Tyler West, Anita Rani with Bal Nazran, and Dylan Llewellyn with Jackie Llewellyn.

What countries did the race route pass through?

The route covered Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Colombia, with Nicaragua bypassed due to denied filming permission.

Arthur Oliver Davies Thompson

About the author

Arthur Oliver Davies Thompson

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.