Viewer Reactions to Margo on Race Across the World
Viewers of the latest series of Race Across the World have been quick to voice their opinions about one of the contestants, Margo. Just minutes into the premiere, fans took to social media to express their frustration with her character.
The BBC travel competition returned for its sixth series last night, featuring five new pairs competing in a challenging journey across multiple countries. Among them are Mark, 66, and Margo, 59, who are brother-in-law and sister-in-law respectively. Their dynamic has sparked strong reactions from the audience.
Fans on X shared their complaints about Margo, a hypnotherapist from Liverpool. One viewer wrote: “Margo already getting on my nerves… she’s been everywhere!!” Another added: “Margo is driving me mad already and it’s only been on for 10 mins.” A third person remarked: “Margo would be the person on your holiday that pretends she friends with everyone but everyone really can’t stand her, she’s also the person that has travelled everywhere, thinks she’s better than everyone else, and makes a complete tot of herself on Karaoke.”
Another fan noted: “I’m sure Mark is rushing as fast as he can so can escape Margo. Might end up a week earlier than every other team.” However, not all viewers were negative. One wrote: “Love all the couples in #RaceAcrossTheWorld but have a soft spot for Margo. She is an absolute ray of sunshine.”
A Personal Connection
Margo and Mark’s participation in the show comes after they both cared for Julia, Mark’s late wife and Margo’s sister. Before her passing, Julia expressed her wish for the two to maintain a friendship, which they are now honouring.
“It’s the maddest thing because we’re just not someone you choose to go on a holiday with, let alone this kind of thing, but I just had this feeling it was the right thing to do,” Margo told Metro. “I asked him, and he said yes because Julia wanted us to be friends.”
Mark added: “It was her last dying wish… but also I wanted to experience the excitement of Race Across The World.”
Challenging Journey and New Rules
This year’s race is described by the BBC as the most difficult yet. The teams will travel through Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, finishing in northern Mongolia. Each pair must complete the journey without using smartphones or bank cards, relying instead on cash equivalent to flying the same route.
The prize for the fastest team is £20,000. The show features a variety of pairs, including best friends Jo and Kush, siblings Katie and Harrison, father and daughter Andrew and Molly, cousins Puja and Roshni, and in-laws Mark and Margo.
Changes Behind the Scenes
The show is also seeing changes behind the scenes. Scott Mills, the previous host of a spin-off podcast, has been replaced by Tyler West. The BBC announced that former contestant Tyler West, 30, will co-host the podcast Race Across the World: The Detour alongside Alfie Watts.
Mills was previously linked to a 2016 police investigation into ‘serious sexual offences’ against a teenage boy between 1997 and 2000. The case was dropped due to lack of evidence. His departure from the BBC came after being sacked six days following his final Radio 2 breakfast show.
Mills and his husband Sam won the second celebrity series of Race Across the World in 2024. He was paid between £355,000 and £359,999 annually by the BBC before his sacking. A senior broadcaster at the BBC expressed “total shock” at the decision, stating that many colleagues had worked with Mills over the years.
Lorna Clarke, Director of Music, sent an email to BBC staff confirming Mills’ departure. She emphasized the unexpected nature of the news and acknowledged the impact on both colleagues and listeners.
Upcoming Episodes and Podcast
The weekly video podcast will chronicle the journey of the new series, featuring guests such as creators, comedians, and celebrity fans. Viewers will recall that Tyler West and his partner Molly Rainford competed in last year’s Celebrity Race Across The World. He is also known for appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, where he was partnered with Dianne Buswell.
Race Across The World airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
