Dueling through Asia: The Unforgettable Friendship of Alfie Watts and Owen Wood in the BBC One Race Across the World

In the upcoming BBC One series, two friends Alfie Watts and Owen Wood will race across Asia from Japan to Lombok without the use of phones or bank accounts. The St Albans schoolmates, who have been best friends since childhood, are one of five duos tasked with completing the challenge. Despite the stresses of their journey, they were able to maintain their friendship and reflect on their experience.

Watts stated that they came out of the show thinking they had no arguments, but couldn’t recall everything that happened. Wood added that it was a testament to their strong bond that they were able to complete such a challenging task together. He emphasized that the person you undertake such a journey with is the most significant part of the adventure.

The BAFTA-winning series returns to BBC One this year, and viewers can witness duos crossing six seas and eight borders to reach the finish line on Lombok, where a cash prize of £20,000 awaits the first to arrive. Watts and Wood noted that one of the biggest challenges was not having access to technology during the race, highlighting the importance of relying on ingenuity and resourcefulness. They also praised locals in Asia for being friendly and helpful throughout their journey.

The first episode of Race Across the World will be available on Wednesday evening on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.