Jeff Stelling says one of the practical challenges of taking part in Celebrity Race Across the World was finding somewhere to stay, with hostels refusing to let him in because he was over 35.
The broadcaster, who is 71, is appearing on the One series with his son Matt, and the pair have had to cope with the show’s stripped-back format. That means no phones, no credit cards and no home comforts, with the duo surviving on £26 per person per day as they travel across Southeast Asia.
The hostel problem
Stelling explained the issue while speaking on 's Morning Live on Wednesday, November 4. Asked about the experience of filming the show, he said: “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.”
He added: “Yeah, we were turned away from hostels because I was over 35- well, only just,” underlining just how awkward the format can be for older contestants. In a race built around speed, improvisation and endurance, even basic accommodation became a problem.
Matt on how different the race was
Matt also reflected on how different the show was from ordinary backpacking. He said: “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.”
He added: “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'.”
For Stelling, the hostel issue is a neat example of how the show strips everything back. Best known for hosting Gillette Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports for 29 years, he has also presented Countdown, Champions League coverage, Alphabetical and, more recently, TalkSport's breakfast show alongside Ally McCoist. But Celebrity Race Across the World has put him in a very different kind of contest.
The series started on October 28, and Stelling’s comments suggest that age, budget and logistics all became part of the challenge. For viewers, it is another reminder that the race is not just about getting from one point to another — it is about coping with everything that can go wrong along the way.
