Worlds Apart cast: Meet the contestants in new Channel 4 series

Channel 4’s new wholesome and uplifting show Worlds Apart is about to take over all of our lives.

This show features twelve people – six young adults experiencing solo travel for the first time and six retirees who believed their traveling days were over. These individuals will team up – each young person with a senior – on a massive treasure hunt throughout Japan.

The show has a diverse cast of contestants, ranging in age from 18 to 80. It includes young adults beginning their careers and seniors enjoying retirement.

To win the cash prize, team members will need to overcome any age-related disagreements and work together to be the first to finish the race.

With the new series starting next week, here’s a look at all the contestants on Channel 4’s Worlds Apart.

Worlds Apart line-up: Full cast of confirmed contestants

The full cast is as follows:

Aaron
Charlotte
Emma
Katie
Lawrence
Tende
Barbara
Colin
Julie
Rosie
Tony
Val

Read on to learn more about those confirmed to be taking part in the upcoming season.

Aaron

Age: 18

Job: Unemployed

From: Blackpool

Aaron, originally from Blackpool, is a funny, reliable, and strong person – qualities that make him a great travel companion. He hasn’t traveled much – his only trip abroad was to Spain with his mother – but he’s eager to try new things, even if he’s a little nervous about adventurous foods like raw fish in Japan.

Aaron recently left the care home where he lived as he turned 18, and now he’s worried about becoming homeless. If he wins this competition, he’s hoping to use the money to get a place to live, learn to drive, and go on a trip with his friends.

Charlotte

Age: 25

Job: Checkout Assistant

From: Swansea

Charlotte, who’s originally from Swansea, is a cheerful and talkative person with a great sense of humor. She grew up in a large, lively family with three brothers, a sister, and lots of pets, so she’s always been comfortable with a bit of chaos and plenty of fun.

After saving for four months, Charlotte finally got to visit Switzerland and Paris. She jokes that she’s lived a very local life, saying she’s barely left Swansea and feels like she almost grew up inside her own home!

I’ve always loved animals, and my big dream is to work as a zookeeper. I’m also a total cat person – I’d love to have a bunch of fluffy Persian cats, and I’ve already planned to name them after all the characters from *Gavin & Stacey*! But honestly, the most important thing would be being able to help my mum. If I won anything, the first thing I’d do is buy her an electric wheelchair – it would make such a huge difference to her life.

Emma

Age: 18

Job: Student

From: Blackpool

I’m really drawn to stories about first times, and Emma’s is particularly compelling. She’s just turned 18 and, having grown up in the care system since she was eight, hasn’t had many opportunities to explore the world. She’s been to Orlando and New York with groups, which sounds amazing, but this is the first time she’ll be traveling completely on her own – and I’m already invested in seeing how that goes for her.

Emma loves music and musical theatre, and if she wins, she plans to use the prize money to record her own songs.

Katie

Age: 21

Job: Community Support Worker

From: Warrington

Katie, age 21, comes from a large family who didn’t have much money growing up, so she’s never had the chance to go on vacation. Despite this, she has big dreams – she hopes to volunteer in Kenya someday and eventually live in a warmer place.

“Winning the money would change my life,” she said.

Lawrence

Age: 24

Job: HR Apprentice

From: London

Lawrence recently finished a three-year apprenticeship and is eager to start traveling, something he’s never been able to do. He grew up in the care system and admits he was a bit of a rebel as a child, hanging out with the wrong people. Now, he spends a lot of time watching travel videos and is determined to experience the world firsthand. He says he skipped school often, but believes there’s so much to learn from the world and wants to catch up on what he missed.

Tende

Age: 19

Job: Student

From: Oxford

Growing up was… unique, to say the least. I was adopted from Uganda as a baby, and ended up being raised in a pretty white, rural area near Oxford. That, and losing my dad when I was fifteen, really formed who I am. I started sharing bits of my life online, and it’s been wild – I’ve even gotten noticed by artists like Taylor Swift and SZA! If I somehow won this competition, the first thing I’d do is help my mum out, but honestly? I’d also splurge on Beyoncé tickets. It’s a dream!

Barbara

Age: 80

Job: Hospice Volunteer

From: Staffordshire

Barbara, a warm and cheerful woman, recently lost her husband, Colin, after 47 years of marriage. To honor his memory, she now volunteers at the hospice where he received care. Throughout her life, Barbara has loved to travel and has always been generous – she even hosted Japanese students during school breaks. Despite her sadness, she’s determined to stay positive. If she wins the prize, she dreams of taking her entire family on a vacation together – a first for them all.

Colin

Age: 73

Job: Retired Plumber

From: Ashton-under-Lyne

Colin was 18 when he first visited Mallorca, and after that, he worked hard as a plumber until his retirement. He and his wife, Sharon, tragically lost their son, Jason, to SADS in 2020. Jason had been teaching English in Thailand and loved to travel. Colin is particularly keen to visit Japan, as it was a country his son adored. If he were to win this competition, he and Sharon would love to take more trips together.

Julie

Age: 73

Job: Karaoke Host

From: London

Julie enjoyed a successful career first as a veterinary nurse and dog groomer. She even competed in international events! But 27 years ago, she traded that life for a new one, becoming a beloved and well-known karaoke host – Jiving Julie – in Soho’s vibrant gay pub scene.

She’s always been adventurous, spending her 40s traveling the world – she even trekked to Everest Base Camp and Machu Picchu. Now, she dedicates her time to caring for her husband, Harry, who had a stroke eight years ago. If she wins any prize money, it will go towards Harry’s ongoing care.

Rosie

Age: 68

Job: Retired Factory Worker

From: Lichfield

After her fourth husband passed away, Rosie started traveling alone to feel less lonely. She’s explored many places, including Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Morocco, and several countries in Europe. Before that, she and her husband lived in Portugal and Mexico, where they owned and operated a business chartering sailboats.

She travels to avoid feeling lonely and enjoys connecting with new people. Without travel, she imagines she could easily spend weeks completely alone at home, without a single conversation.

Tony

Age: 69

Job: Retired GP

From: Manchester

Tony devoted his career to the National Health Service, working as a family doctor and helping to create the Electronic Prescription Service. After forty years of marriage, he came out as gay in his early sixties, and was happily supported by his wife and family. Now embracing his true self, he’s joined a gay choir and is optimistic about finding companionship. If he wins the prize money, he plans to donate it to charities that help people experiencing homelessness in Manchester.

Val

Age: 71

Job: Retired Mental Health Nurse

From: Newport

Val emigrated from Jamaica to the UK shortly before turning twelve. If she wins, she plans to use some of the prize money to rent a villa in Jamaica and bring her family together for a reunion. She dedicated 34 years to working as a mental health nurse, and in her early fifties, she met her partner, Rupert, through a friend. Sadly, Rupert passed away in 2024 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, following many joyful years together.

She felt this trip was a welcome relief, explaining that she’s been struggling emotionally since her husband passed away, and it offered a temporary escape from her grief.

2025-10-07 11:36