Race Across the World is back for a sixth season, and this time, the challenges are bigger and tougher than ever before.
The new series starts tonight, April 2nd, and will document five teams as they embark on a challenging 12,000km journey across Europe and Asia. They’ll be following sections of the historic Silk Road, pushing their physical and emotional limits along the way.
Facing a tight budget of only £26 per day, the teams will travel without relying on smartphones, the internet, or credit/debit cards. Best friends Jo and Kush are excited to take on this adventure.
Jo, who is from Liverpool, said it comes naturally to strike up conversations with people, explaining, ‘As a Scouser, it’s easy to fit in and talk to anyone,’ in an interview with TopMob before the show began.
But just who are they? Scroll on to learn more about the Race Across the World 2026 contestants.
Who are Jo and Kush?
Relationship: Best friends
Jo and Kush, best friends since childhood and originally from Liverpool, are hoping their friendly personalities and local wit will give them an edge as they compete.
These two 19-year-olds have been close friends since they were little kids – their parents actually met when they were both in a playgroup as babies!
After being friends for a long time, Kush and his friend weren’t concerned that competing against each other would damage their relationship. Kush explained to TopMob that they were confident the race wouldn’t create any issues, because their friendship was strong enough to handle any challenges.
During the race, the pair agreed to compromise between sightseeing and focusing on the race.
Jo admitted they hoped to win, but ultimately found the overall experience much more rewarding.
Why did Jo and Kush want to take part in Race Across the World?
Kush originally suggested they apply for the show, and Jo was already on board. They were planning a trip anyway, so being accepted was just a bonus.
I stumbled across an ad for the show on Instagram, and even though I hadn’t seen it myself, my mum and brothers were huge fans. I thought it would be a funny prank to apply just to show them what I’d done! So, I immediately called my friend Jo and asked if he wanted to join me, and he was totally up for it.
Jo explained they had nothing to lose by applying. Whether they were accepted or rejected, they were planning to travel regardless. “We’d travel either way,” she said.
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The exciting show Race Across the World is back on Thursday, April 2nd at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. You can also catch up on previous seasons – 1 through 5 – anytime on iPlayer.
Don’t miss Race Across the World! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and features.
Authors
Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.
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2026-04-02 14:37