The hit global travel format, Race Across the World, has been commissioned by BBC One for a celebrity special, it was announced today.

The hugely popular format made by Studio Lambert is currently filming its second series for BBC Two. The first series boasted the highest rated episode of a new factual entertainment title on BBC Two since 2016 and has since been recommissioned by the channel in a bumper multi-series order.

In this special celebrity version, four familiar faces will race with a loved one or close friend from the start line in one part of the world to the finish thousands of miles away - without the use of air travel or any trappings of modern-day life. Stripped of all mod-cons and all luxuries they will have to rely on their skills, cunning, ingenuity and talent rather than the privileges and perks of fame in order to succeed. This incredible journey will give a unique insight into the celebrities and their relationship with their travelling companions as they are pushed to the absolute limit.

Over the course of six episodes, the four competing teams will come face to face with the challenge of travelling without the use of credit cards, smartphones or access to the internet. With just the cash equivalent of a one-way airfare to their final destination they will have to earn extra money along the way as well as call upon the kindness of strangers to help them progress, and ultimately win, this race of a lifetime.

David Brindley, Head of Commissioning, Popular Factual and Factual Entertainment, says: "We've been thrilled by the success of Race Across the World on BBC Two and now are incredibly excited to bring some famous faces to what will be an adrenaline-filled and entertaining series on BBC One. Our celebrities won't be able to rely on their fame and fortune on this journey and we can't wait to see whose wit and skill gets them to the finish line first, in what is fast becoming one of the most revealing and testing challenges on TV.”

Tim Harcourt, Creative Director, Studio Lambert, says: “This format has been described as fiendishly addictive and was a smash hit for both viewers and critics alike. I can’t wait to see celebrities undergoing the transformative powers of this global race at ground level.”

Celebrity Race Across The World, a 6x60' series for BBC One, was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, BBC Director of Content and David Brindley, Head of Commissioning, Popular Factual and Factual Entertainment. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Michael Jochnowitz. Mark Saben, Stephen Day, Matt Smith and Tim Harcourt are the Executive Producers for Studio Lambert.

Series one

The final episode of Race Across the World was the highest rated episode of a new factual entertainment title on BBC Two, consolidating at 3.2m and it was also the highest performing episode for 16-34s for a new factual series on the channel since 2016 and the highest rating programme for children across all the BBC for that week.

The consolidated series average was 2.5million/10.4% share and 374,000 16-34s. The demographic with the highest share was children who took a 19.6% share across the series (166,000). The whole series has so far received 4.5m iPlayer requests.