Race Across The World narrator is a famous movie star who was in the biggest films of the '90s
Race Across The World narrator is a famous movie star who was in the biggest films of the '90s
Race Across The World is back on BBC One for a new series this week with a famous name voicing the show once again
Polular TV series Race Across The World is back for its fifth series this week with two competitors from Wales and a well-known actor narrating the show once more.
This year's thrilling race kicks off at the Great Wall of China. Five teams will traverse three of Asia's most diverse nations - China, Nepal, and India. They'll cover over 14,000km to reach the finish line at Kanniyakumari, the southernmost point of India.
The teams are: sisters Elizabeth and Letitia; ex-married couple Yin and Gaz; brothers Brian and Melvyn; teenage couple Fin and Sioned from Wales; and mother-son duo Caroline and Tom.
With no smartphones or bank cards, just cash equivalent to the cost of flying the route, the teams will be pushed to their limits in the race for the £20k prize, reports the Daily Record.
Race Across The World's contestants for series 5
(Image: BBC/Studio Lambert )
Article continues below
While the teams are out exploring, one man is back in the studio facing his own challenge - narrating the popular series.
The voice adding depth and detail to the clips belongs to Scottish actor John Hannah, known for his roles in two of the '90s biggest films - Four Weddings and a Funeral and Sliding Doors.
Many Race Across The World fans didn't initially realise it was John behind the narration, with some mistaking his Scottish accent for Ewan McGregor's. However, they soon rushed to X to praise him.
John Hannah starred in Spartacus and got his big break in Four Weddings and a Funeral
One fan tweeted: "Good to hear the dulcet tones of John Hannah narrating the series. #TopTelly."
Another added their praise, saying: "Can we have some appreciation for John Hannah's narration on #raceacrosstheworld - every word is pitch perfect."
Further comments from fans included: "I will never tire of hearing John Hannah's voice #RaceAcrossTheWorld."
And: "John Hannah makes this commentary #RaceAcrossTheWorld."
Hailing from East Kilbride, the 62-year-old actor was catapulted into the limelight following his Bafta-nominated performance as Matthew in the 1994 romantic comedy hit Four Weddings and a Funeral alongside Hugh Grant. He continued his rise to fame with a role opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in the 1998 film Sliding Doors, which also enjoyed box office success.
John has since built an impressive portfolio of work, including TV appearances in Spartacus, Cold Blood, Trust Me, and The Last Of Us, as well as films like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Damaged.
Married to actress Joanna Roth and a father of two, John has been delighting audiences with his voiceover work on Race Across The World since its inception in 2019.
Scott Mills and husband Sam Vaughan won the last series of Celebrity Race Across The World
(Image: BBC )
The show has featured two celebrity editions to date, with the most recent being clinched by Radio 2 Breakfast show host Scott Mills and his husband Sam Vaughan, who is from Bridgend.
They triumphed over other celebrities such as Jeff Brazier and Kelly Brook, racing through Brazil, leading Scott to express he was "speechless" following their victory.
He said: "I can confirm it's the best feeling ever. It's been exhilarating, it's been tough, it's been so frustrating at times, but we've been there for each other, the good, the bad, the ups and downs. It just proves we're a great team – a winning team."
Article continues below
Race Across The World returns to BBC One on Wednesday, April 23 at 9pm
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Shock moment man REJECTS life-changing $40,000 jackpot offer on Tipping Point - before the unexpected happens
An Aussie game show hopeful defied the odds this week, after rejecting a life-changing jackpot offer. Contestant John, 72, appeared on Monday's episode of popular Nine game show Tipping Point, where he had reached the endgame of the show- Jackpot Temptation. He had already banked $4,200 and had his eyes firmly set on the $20,000 jackpot prize. If that wasn't enough temptation, host Todd Woodbridge upped the ante, much to the contestant's surprise. 'What would you say if I gave you one counter and increased the jackpot to $40,000?' Todd asked. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'You would lose $4,200 if you decided to take Jackpot Temptation, but it's so rare to get to this position side-by-side.' Playing it safe, John rejected Todd's offer, saying: 'The chance of one [counter]...it would have to fall 100 per cent in the right spot. so, no, I will sadly decline that.' John's move was praised by his wife Helen who shouted from the audience: 'No, it's too much of a risk.' Todd then intervened with: 'Helen what would do it for you?' before tempting John again. 'I'm going to give you a final offer. I will give you three counters for $20,000,' Todd said as excitement in the studio rose. It seemed that Lady Luck was smiling on John on Monday as he ended up nabbing the $20,000 jackpot with his first of three counters. The crowd erupted in cheers over John's big win and Helen rushed the stage to celebrate with her husband. It comes after Channel Nine recently hit back at claims that the popular game show was 'rigged'. Fans took to social media in April to slam the show after they they noticed a counter mysteriously move across the board. The footage was taken from a recent episode in which a counter was dropped down the shelf and landed on the board, directly in line to move several discs off the shelf - setting the contestant up for a large payout. However, the disc then appeared to move several inches by itself to the right of the floor, where it was not in a position to knock over any discs, increasing the chances of the contestant losing. The contestant in question, Graham, did not win any money during the episode and was the second player eliminated on the night. 'Tipping Point is not rigged, they say. Watch this... Using magnets, what the hell,' the viewer sniped over the footage. However, in a statement to Daily Mail Australia, a Channel Nine spokesperson denied any suggestions the show was rigged. 'Nine refutes the claim that the game is rigged and that magnets were used to manipulate the counter,' the network told Daily Mail Australia. 'There are absolutely no magnets involved.' Fans were divided over the clip and took to the comment section to share their thoughts. However, some said the footage did not prove the show was rigged and said there might be a more simple solution. 'It's the push force on the disc,' one person suggested. 'They're actually wooden discs. Not metal like they sound like,' another wrote. They added there was a logical explanation for the counter appearing to move by itself in the clip. 'The machine's counters, wall, and shelves are all constructed from Perspex' they said. 'The movement observed in the clip is a result of natural suction that can occur between two flat, clean Perspex surfaces when they are in close contact. This suction can create friction, affecting the smoothness of the counter's movement.'
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
World of Secrets The Killing Call: 3. The gangsters
Thousands from across India crowd the streets for Sidhu Moose Wala's funeral, to grieve one of Punjab's famous sons. Millions more watch. Flowers are thrown at the coffin, pulled by his favourite tractor. Amongst the grief are anger and unanswered questions– why was he not better protected? And we find out more about the world he was caught up in. Presented by broadcaster and DJ Bobby Friction and investigative journalist Ishleen Kaur. Season 8 of World of Secrets, The Killing Call, is a BBC Eye investigation for the BBC World Service. Archive audio credits: NDTV, India Today, Pun Yaab, Lovepreet Waraich, BritAsiaTV, CBC, CTV, WION
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Huw Edwards slashes price of his £4.75million family home AGAIN and his 'divorce has been delayed'
Disgraced ex- BBC presenter Huw Edwards has reportedly been forced to delay his divorce and cannot find a buyer for his £4.75million mansion. The six-bedroom detached property in Dulwich, south London, was put on the market last October after wife Vicky Flind filed for divorce from the former TV front man. The twisted newsreader and his wife first bought the sprawling home for £1.85million in 2006, 13 years after they tied the knot. But after he pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children last July, it was reported that Ms Flind, who is the mother of Edwards' five children, split from her husband and kicked him out of the home. It is understood the mortgage on the property has been fully paid off, meaning a sale will give him a bumper pay-day of around £2million now he is without his £475,000 salary. However, the sale appears to proving more difficult than first expected due to fears the home has been blighted by Edwards' reputation, according to The Sun. There is such little interest in the house that prospective buyers are being told by property website Zoopla that they would be 'one of the first' to view the 'hidden gem', nine months after it was first listed for sale. And they have even slashed the asking price by a whopping £750,000. The six-bedroom detached property in Dulwich, south London, was put on the market last October after Edwards' wife filed for divorce Estate agents in February were willing to accept £4.5million for the property, but dwindling interest has seen this cut to £4million. In an attempt to drum up interest in the south London home, they described it as being situated 'on one of Dulwich's most desirable residential roads'. They say the house, which is kitted out with three bathrooms and three reception rooms across its 4200 sq ft, is 'a substantial detached mid-century family house' with 'exceptionally spacious living accommodation'. An extract from the listing reads: 'The ground floor has a spacious reception hall, three reception rooms, recently re-fitted kitchen/dining room, office/library, cloakroom, utility room and downstairs WC. 'On the first floor there are four double bedrooms, one with en-suite bathroom and separate dressing room and a family bathroom. 'The second floor has two double bedrooms and a bathroom. Externally to the rear there is a most delightful, mature garden.' The Sun also reported that no decree absolute had been provided to end Edwards' 32-year marriage to Ms Find as of June 5. They say it is unclear whether problems with the sale were a factor in the divorce, which was expected to have been finalised earlier this year.
