Jeff Stelling shares 'one big problem' while filming Celebrity Race Across the World

Jeff Stelling and his son Matt appeared on Morning Live to discuss their time taking part in Celebrity Race Across the World

Jeff Stelling has shared a major behind-the-scenes issue while taking part in Celebrity Race Across the World.

Celebrity Race Across the World has returned to BBC One, with a new group of duos leaving their phones, credit cards, and home comforts behind for a journey like no other.

This season kicked off last Tuesday (October 28) as the four pairs set out on an adventure from Borneo across Southeast Asia to Melbourne, Australia. But who will get there first?

Among the pairs this season are broadcaster Jeff Stelling and his son Matt, who must survive on a budget of just £26 per person per day.

Jeff, 71, is a TV and radio presenter best known for hosting Gillette Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports, a role he held for 29 years. He also hosted Champions League coverage for five years, from 2011 to 2015.

Outside of sports, he presented the famous Channel 4 game show Countdown for four years beginning in 2009, and the ITV quiz show Alphabetical (2016–2017). Since 2023, he has presented TalkSport's breakfast show, alongside Ally McCoist.

Appearing on Wednesday's (November 4) episode of BBC's Morning Live, Jeff and Matt opened up to hosts Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton about their experience on Celebrity Race Across the World.

Ensure our latest TV stories always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

Jeff explained how they faced challenges due to his age, as he was denied access to hostels on many occasions, leaving his sleeping options very limited.

Thinking backpacking across Australia would be easy, Matt admitted: "I was so misguided, to be honest; it's so different from just going backpacking where you could take everything at your own pace, and if something went wrong, well, you could just go book into a hostel and go again the next day.

"We didn't have that luxury at all whilst we were racing, and we're constantly thinking on the race, 'where are we going next and how are we going to get there'."

Jeff added: "When you're backpacking with someone like me, one big problem is that a lot of hostels will not let you in if you're over 35."

Gethin chipped in: "I didn't know that," as Jeff confirmed: "Yeah, we were turned away from hostels because I was over 35- well, only just," he joked.

Jeff also admitted he had to throw away half the contents of his heavy backpack, including a pair of designer jeans and a book, in order to carry it around, but called the challenge "A lot of fun."

Also taking part in this year's Celebrity Race Across the World alongside Jeff and Matt are Princess and Junior Andre, Ella Eyre and her childhood friend, Nana, and Sam Ryder and his best friend and tour manager, Kaz.

Morning Live airs at 9:30am on BBC One and iPlayer, while Celebrity Race Across the World airs Wednesday's at 8pm on BBC and iPlayer