The second series has been extended by two weeks and will now air for eight weeks, with contestants competing to get from Mexico City to the most southerly city in the world, Ushuaia in Argentina.

Like series one – where contestants travelled from London to Singapore – they will need to travel thousands of miles without taking any flights or using a smartphone and with a limited set amount of money.  

The 10 travellers will work in pairs to navigate across 16 countries via horse, foot, boat and bus to reach the finish line.

Here is a rundown of the competing travellers:

Dom and Lizzie

Yorkshire brother and sister Dom, a teaching assistant, and Lizzie, a chalet host, wanted to take part in the series to try to reconnect and rebuild their relationship after drifting apart over the years.

Lizzie described wanting to build a “stronger relationship” with her brother and added, “I believe we have a lot more in common than we both think.”

Dom agreed and said: “We used to be so close when we were younger and it is something we both acknowledge and have a desire to get back.”

Emon and Jamiul

After ten years apart, architecture graduate Jamiul has recently reconnected with his adventurous uncle Emon and they both hope to restore their relationship after being distant for so long.

Jamiul encouraged Emon to join him on the journey and Emon’s competitive side is already evident, he said: “I don’t believe in coming in second, I don’t do losing. I am in it to win it.”

Jo and Sam

Psychotherapist and travel enthusiast Jo is travelling with her 19-year-old son Sam, a landscape gardener who suffers from ADHD.

Jo knows Sam is desperate to travel but is nervous about him going on his own, so as they get on so well she thought this would be a perfect opportunity for them both.

Sam said: “Mum and I are very close; we often think or say the same things, she has travelled a lot in her life, so I think it would be fun to do it with her.”

Shuntelle and Michael

Girlfriend and boyfriend Shuntelle and Michael differ when it comes to how they like to holiday, sensible project manager Shuntelle is used to five-star travel, whereas ex-military Michael loves the outdoors.

Shuntelle knows the race will be a shock to the system but said: “It’s time to move away from the all-inclusive holidays in Jamaica and see what else the world has to offer. I also want to show my boyfriend that I am not made out of cotton wool.”

For Michael he wants to “win the competition doing something that I like to do.”

Jen and Rob

Married couple of five years Jen and Rob have entered the competition as a challenge to themselves to improve their communication skills with one another.

Rob is hearing impaired and only has 20% of his hearing due to a recent operation which has left him and Jen communicating less.

“He loves to travel, and I want to share a good experience with him after all of this heartache we’ve been through,” Jen said.

She added: “I want to remind him what fun is and show him that everything is OK and yes, you’ve had to adapt to a new life, but look what we can achieve together.”

 

Race Across the World will return to BBC Two on the 8^th March at 8pm.