TV review: Race Across the World is back and tougher than ever

****

As Confucius didn’t say, true knowledge of a person only comes after sharing a long night in a smelly room; or eating chicken feet; or dissolving into tears because it’s after midnight, you’ve missed the last train, and another step would just be the end.

These were some of the experiences awaiting the intrepid souls taking part in Race across the World, and this was only week one. The reality show that’s a cross between an endurance test and a session on the therapist’s couch was back for a fifth series, and more of a challenge than ever. 

Contestants for the £20,000 prize must travel 14,000 km across China and Nepal to reach their final destination in India, all the while managing on the lowest budget yet of £22 a day. That was something else Confucius did not say: you don’t have to be mad to sign up for Race across the World, but it might come in handy.

This year’s competition began on the Great Wall of China. As the travellers made their way to the start line to hand over phones and collect money and maps, we learned a little about what had brought them there. 

For Fin and Sioned, aged 18 and 19 and together for “four and a half years”, this was their first time travelling. Experiencing the world was “top of our list”, said Sioned, who confessed that she might get a bit “poody” - Welsh for moody -  if things went wrong. Horizons and vocabularies were already expanding.

Read more

• 'I don’t know if I can handle it,' says Hollywood star searching for lost family

• The Piano: music is a treat but do we really need the backstories?

• If The White Lotus is looking for a new location, we know a terrific spot ...

• The oddest but most satisfying reality show on TV

Brothers and northerners Brian and Melvyn, retired financial adviser and driving instructor respectively, had not been away together since the 1970s. Brian would have gone business class given half a chance, said his brother. “He definitely wastes money.” 

Yin and Gaz, both 54, looked like any other middle-aged couple who had spent decades together and fitted like a pair of old boots. Then she casually let slip that Gaz “was” a great husband. Turns out they had been married, divorced (not harmonious), and were now friends. Travelling happily with an ex - the sights you see on Race across the World.

(Speaking of jaw-droppers, everything about China seemed impossibly huge and overwhelming. I’d like to see Donald Trump deal his way through Beijing with only a backpack to his name.)

Elizabeth and Letitia, 33 and 26, had a fascinating big sister-little sister vibe going on. Finally, we met Catherine, 60, and her son Tom, 21. Having spent many years looking after a family and a home, Caroline felt she had missed out on life. Tom, who had ten months travelling under his belt, was going to be her guide. 

Mum’s superpower, said Tom, was that people underestimated her. We’re liking Tom already. But the kids from Wales are great too, and the sisters, the brothers, and the exes. 

As is the wonderful way with Race, all human life was here, just waiting to reveal itself over nine weeks. Let the fun and games begin.