30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Destination X review: There's one issue with Rob Brydon's globetrotting game
Destination X could be the UK's next reality obsession with the nation's favourite uncle Rob Brydon at its helm, but there's one potential problem, writes TV Editor Lauren Morrris
Since The Traitors established itself as a reality phenomenon with its first series in 2022, broadcasters have desperately tried - and failed - to recreate the BBC One hit. From Channel 4's Rise and Fall to ITV's latest reality game show Genius Game, these post-Traitors commissions have either failed to grip viewers from the outset or been too complex for them to follow.
Now, the BBC may have found its next big reality hit with Destination X - a real-life version of the website GeoGuessr, fronted by Britain's favourite uncle Rob Brydon. Based on the American competition of the same name, Destination X flies 13 contestants out to a random country, where they must use a number of cryptic clues to guess exactly where in the world they are.
Whether it's subtle signs in the airport or strategically-placed actors with very specific accents, the contestants must be observant enough to deduce where they may have been plonked on the planet.
With the cast heading to a different location in a big RV each episode, they get to guess after a day of clues - and the one who's furthest away from the right answer is savagely dumped from the coach.
It's Race Across the World meets Coach Trip with a sprinkle of The Masked Singer - but instead of guessing the disguised celebrity, both the contestants and viewers at home are trying to pinpoint the particular location. But more importantly, Destination X seems to tick every box on the Traitors ' checklist of success.
There's the ever-charming host Rob Brydon, who's in his element as a globe-trotting game master. Dressed in a leather jacket and fedora outside one particular location, the comedian says: "I'm like Indiana Jones - well, the Lego version."
Rob brings the lighter side to what can be a brutal game - the show delivers a rather cruel twist for a handful of contestants just minutes into the first episode. He's not the only one however, with the casting directors striking gold with their 13 contestants.
There's London cabbie Daren, 58, who manages to accidentally proposition one of his fellow castmates as he waits for the game to start. The cheeky chappy provides a number of chuckleworthy moments as he competes to win the £100,000 to treat his wife 'Jacky P' to the kitchen of her dreams.
He's there with crime writer Deborah, 62, who's hoping that her mystery-making skills will help her in the competition and the highly competitive Nick - an endurance athlete who proves he's not there to mess about in the first challenge when he shoves his way to the front of the check-in desk.
What Destination X lacks in campness, it makes up for in strange hilarity with its various clues. For one particular challenge, Rob hires several pairs of twins to throw the contestants off their geographical scent, while at one point, the cast peek out of their confined box to see the latest clue: a man stood alongside a German Shepherd.
It's these hints and red herrings that allow those at home to play along - however, they could also be the show's downfall. As Rob repeatedly reminds the contestants, to play the game, you must pay attention. With viewers' TV habits constantly changing and attention spans increasingly shrinking, Destination X could be too complicated for its own good.
If you can keep up with the show's silly clues and subtle hints, then Destination X is a compelling and entertaining watch that will give you a mid-week lift over the next two months. If not, hopefully you'll get some holiday inspiration - well, when the destinations are finally revealed.
