Race Across The World 'starts pre-production on new series'

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 1h

Race Across The World reportedly gets back into pre-production as coronavirus travel restrictions start to loosen.

The BBC is reportedly gearing up to film a new series of Race Across The World after a break of almost two years.

The popular format, which airs on BBC Two, sees pairs of contestants make their way between two far-flung destinations without the use of airplanes in pursuit of a grand cash prize.

The BBC had not only given the go-ahead to a new series but also a celebrity spinoff just before the coronavirus pandemic hit, at which point production was paused indefinitely.

According to The Sun, with most international travel now back on the cards, producers have been given the green light to prepare for filming the new series early next year.

"RATW has a cult following and became huge during the early lockdowns when everyone discovered series one then got hooked on series two," a source told the newspaper. "But because it takes so long to film they're the only two series for fans to binge on.

"Everyone has been desperate for producers to do more, but because of the pandemic and all of the travel restrictions it's just not been possible. But now they're starting to gear up to send another lucky set of contestants on their travels in 2022."

The source added: "The celeb version hasn't gone for good, but it's had a pin put in it for now. The priority is getting the civilian version off the ground and on their travels again in the new year."

Due to the timescales involved in filming the show, the new series is not expected to be on air until the second half of 2022.