BBC Race Across the World star emotional as she admits 'I'm out of control'
BBC Race Across the World star emotional as she admits 'I'm out of control'
Wednesday's episode of Race Across the World saw the four remaining pairs begin their journey to the fifth checkpoint
Race Across the World contestant Sioned was brought to tears just minutes into Wednesday's (May 21) episode as she confessed, "I feel bad".
The hit BBC programme is back for its fifth season, with teams racing to the southernmost tip of India after starting at the Great Wall of China.
Participants are stripped of modern conveniences like smartphones and bank cards, competing with only a modest budget for the chance to win an eye-catching £20,000 prize.
During tonight's episode, it was revealed that Caroline and Tom had made significant strides, narrowing the lead Brian and Melvyn held after the fourth leg.
Fin and Sioned were in third place, over a day behind the pair ahead, while Elizabeth and Letitia secured fourth place, reports Surrey Live.
The teams made their way to the fifth checkpoint
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It was soon disclosed that the secluded mountain retreat of McLeod Ganj would serve as the race's fifth checkpoint.
McLeod Ganj boasts a rich history as the abode of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and is a sanctuary for the Tibetan community that fled to India in 1959.
Now, the hill town is a pilgrimage site attracting throngs of visitors eager for spiritual blessings and Buddhist teachings.
To get to their latest destination, the teams traversed some of Earth's most densely inhabited terrains and scaled almost 7,000 feet into the Himalayan foothills.
Their journey also offered chances to pass through India's interconnected metropolises, including Delhi and Agra, which are highlights along the renowned Golden Triangle tourist circuit.
Sioned was brought to tears just minutes into Wednesday's episode
To avoid bustling crowds, teams could opt for an earlier climb, passing through the serene hill stations to the north.
Teenage couple Fin and Sioned journeyed to Varanasi in the hopes of catching a train, but ended up on a bus due to train cancellations.
While awaiting their bus, 19-year-old Sioned was moved to tears upon witnessing the harsh reality of young children living in stark poverty.
"It upset me, seeing the kids. They were so dirty, so skinny. I've not come across a lot of poverty before, nothing to this degree. I feel bad," she expressed, overwhelmed with emotion.
Fin comforted her, reassuringly saying: "It's okay, you can't do anything about it. It's not your fault it's like that. You're gonna make me cry now."
Fin and Sioned were in fourth place
He further reflected: "The hardest part is we've never seen children struggle that badly. To see people begging and to see kids on the streets, it's a lot to take in."
Later, as the couple navigated the bustling city of Uttar Pradesh, Sioned was again engulfed in emotion. To make matters worse, their driver took them in the wrong direction.
"Since stepping foot in India, there's a sensory overload and it causes me to break down. I'm out of control, and I don't like the feeling of not being in control," Sioned confessed.
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"Mentally, emotionally, physically. The race is the toughest thing I've ever done."
At the end of the episode, Fin and Sioned were in fourth place, trailing behind frontrunners Caroline and Tom.
Race Across the World is available to stream on BBC iPlayer
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