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Who are Jeff Stelling and son Matt? Meet Celebrity Race Across the World 2026 contestants

The race begins tonight on BBC One and iPlayer!

Jeff Stelling and Matt stood next to each other smiling ahead. Jeff is resting his arm on Matt's shoulder.

BBC/Studio Lambert

Published: Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at 9:51 am

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Celebrity Race Across the World is back with a new season and a new group of duos as they leave their phones, credit cards and home comforts behind for a journey like no other.

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This season, the four intrepid duos find themselves on an adventure from Borneo across South East Asia to Melbourne, Australia.

The adventure begins in the city of Kuching, in the Malaysian state of Sarawak in North West Borneo, before they embark on a race through prehistoric jungles and the heartlands of Borneo to reach five checkpoints across three countries and two continents.

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

Fancy getting to know Jeff and Matt a bit more? Read on to learn about the Celebrity Race Across the World 2026 duo.

Who are Jeff Stelling and Matt Stelling on Celebrity Race Across the World?

Jeff and Matt Stelling stood next to each other both wearing plain t-shirts with large backpacks.

Jeff and Matt Stelling. BBC/Studio Lambert

Relationship: Father and son

Job: Veteran sports broadcaster

Instagram: @jeffandmattstelling_cratw

Jeff Stelling is a TV and radio presenter best known for hosting Gillette Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports, which he did for 29 years. He also hosted coverage of the Champions League for five years between 2011 and 2015.

Outside of sports, he presented the famous Channel 4 game show Countdown for four years beginning in 20o9, and the ITV quiz show Alphabetical (2016–2017).

Since 2023, he has presented TalkSport's breakfast show, alongside Ally McCoist.

Stelling is taking on the challenge with his son, Matt. Speaking of the race, Jeff said: "Work's been a massive part of my life. Now I don't have quite the demands that I used to have, so it's perfect timing."

Matt added: "It’s all aligned. In my time in hostels I have to say, I didn’t see a single backpacker in their seventies."

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Celebrity Race Across the World begins on Wednesday 28 October at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Katelyn Mensah, smiling against a lime green background.

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

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