How participating in Race Across The World changed my entire life upon returning home – find out why

A contestant on Race Across The World has revealed how when they got home, they turned their whole life upside down. 

The BBC adventure show sees five pairs go head to head in a 14,000 kilometers race across China, Nepal and India for a huge cash prize.

In the latest season, a diverse group of individuals are competing to win £20,000, including sisters Elizabeth and Letitia, former spouses Yin and Gaz, brothers Brian and Melvyn, teen couple Fin and Sioned, and mother and son Caroline and Tom.

The end of the race is yet to air but one contestant, 21-year-old Tom, has shared what he’s been up to since being on the show.

He told Metro how he had previously worked as a labourer but had gone on to try a new venture. 

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A contestant on Race Across The World has revealed how when they got home, they turned their whole life upside down

The end of the race is yet to air but one contestant, 21-year-old Tom (right), has shared what he’s been up to since being on the show

He told Metro how he had previously worked as a labourer but had gone on to try a new venture

‘I used to stick to my comfort zone, content with lifting heavy objects and doing repetitive tasks for the pay. But now, I’ve decided to step out and start my own handyman business in the village to help others,’ he shared.

Tom admitted that though he’s ‘messed up a couple of times’ he’s managed to fix it and feels the new role is ‘pushing’ him. 

He shared before Race Across The World he was ‘always a bit scared of trying something new’.

But the experience on the show has taught him a lot, ‘I think a lot of time on Race it didn’t go our way, but then we learned from it, or we found another way around it,’ he explained. 

Tom participated in the programme with his mother, Caroline, and during their travels the pair found themselves stuck in Beijing’s train station for quite some time. 

After being told there were no tickets left for that day, Tom grumbled, ‘We haven’t made it out of Beijing in 24 hours now. We’ll have to come up with a plan.’ 

Caroline managed to secure the pair tickets for the next morning and they stayed in a hostel overnight.

‘I never really stepped out my comfort zone, I was happy lifting heavy things and just doing repetitive stuff because it paid me and it was good but since I’ve come back, I’ve branched out, and I’m trying to start my own little handyman business helping people around the village,’ he revealed

Driving instructor Melvyn was pulling a small case behind him which many felt could cause difficulties during their long journey

Tom participated in the programme with his mother, Caroline, and during their travels the pair found themselves stuck in Beijing’s train station for quite some time 

Some viewers took to social media to comment on the situation and said: ‘Pleasure to share episode one with you all. And remember, if you ever think you’re having a bad day, at least you’re not Tom and Caroline who managed to spend 24 hours in a train station during a race.’

‘Tom and Caroline stranded at the train station with all trains sold out.’ 

‘When was this filmed? Are Caroline and Tom still in Beijing?’ 

‘Tom and his mum are probably on the North bound train back to Beijing.’ 

‘I was really rooting for the mother & son, but they haven’t even made it out of Beijing in more than 24 hours.’ 

Race Across The World airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.