Race Across the World's Betty hits back at 'dehumanising' BBC show complaints

Yahoo

21 hours ago

Race Across the World's Betty has fired back at social media complaints about there being "too many sob stories" on the BBC show. She tells Yahoo UK: "To dismiss them like that feels dehumanising."
The sister raced across the world with her brother James in series four through Japan, Thailand and Indonesia where they came third (with only one pound left to their names). Betty bravely confided in her brother, and millions watching at home, about her MRKH diagnosis — meaning she doesn't have a womb.
Series five has announced its winners Caroline and Tom after another successful year but some viewers have complained there have been too many "sob stories" along the way. While on the eight-week trek, of course the contestants taking part are going to share their life stories and experiences that have shaped who they have become.
Betty tells Yahoo UK of the complaints about the 2025 series: "It's disheartening. It's not just about me; it's about anyone who's opened up, only to be told their real-life experience is being used for entertainment. These are not 'sob stories' — they're lived realities. To dismiss them like that feels dehumanising.
"I think people forget there's a real person on the other side of the screen who's actually lived through the things they're commenting on. Not only this, but as contestants and 'tv-people' we chose to let our walls down in the hopes it helps others out there who may not feel they have the voice to speak out."
Speaking out about her MRKH diagnosis in 2024 got lots of people talking about women's health and infertility; Betty was applauded for sharing her story. "To be honest, I didn't plan to [share my diagnosis on Race Across the World]," she says now.
"But when you're travelling for weeks on end with your race partner [James] and the incredible crew, real conversations naturally happen. And for me, living with MRKH is part of who I am, it's shaped how I see the world and myself. It felt important to be honest, especially if it could make someone watching feel a little less alone."
Race Across the World contestants aren't your typical reality TV stars you might find say in the Love Island villa. Being vulnerable in front of a camera is a totally new experience for them.
"[It's] Scary but also strangely freeing," she says. "But I think that's what makes the show so special. It's not just about the race, it's about the journey, emotionally as much as physically. Being vulnerable on screen wasn't easy, but I wouldn't change it for anything."
She explains: "Also, I think what makes Race so special is that we're not only sharing pockets of the world for viewers to see but pockets of lived-experiences that millions are also suffering with. Our series alone we touched on health problems, grieve, mental health, relationship problems, infertility… These are not 'sob-stories', they're the reality of millions."
In the 2024 reunion episode last year, Betty revealed her plans to freeze her eggs.
This week Betty posted a powerful message on Instagram about the "sob stories" complaints some viewers have made about the 2025 Race Across the World series.
In full, she wrote to her 38.5k followers on Instagram stories: "A lil rant. Let's talk about the whole 'sob story' thing. Because I keep seeing all the comments to the producers of Race Across the World and yeah, shock, the contestants read your messages too.
"Here's the thing: we are not characters made up for your entertainment. We're real people, living real lives, with real experiences. The things you call 'sob stories' are our truths. Our losses. Our battles. Our breakthroughs. The things that have shaped us into the people we are today.
"You don't apply to a show like this with a 'story' in your back pocket. And there isn't a special box for you to type your 'sob story' into. You apply as a whole human. But when you spend 24 hours a day, for eight weeks, with a partner and a crew... things come out. Conversations happen. Walls drop. And your life, including all the beautiful, messy, painful, powerful parts of the journey that's made you you becomes part of what's shared.
"So when you reduce that to a 'sob story'? You're not critiquing the edit. You're invalidating someone's life. Maybe it's easier to judge when it's not your own wounds on-screen. But please remember: we are not here to perform our pain for you. We're here because we said yes to something big and wild and once-in-a-lifetime.
"So here's a radical idea: just enjoy the show. Maybe, if you're lucky, let it move you a little too. Over and out."
Reflecting, Betty tells Yahoo UK that she has been met with "overwhelmingly supportive" messages.
She says: "I've had so many messages from people saying thank you, not just other contestants or viewers, but people who've felt invalidated for sharing their own stories too. It just proves how much these conversations matter."
Race Across the World is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.