BBC One's Celebrity Race Across the World began its fourth series in Kuching, Sarawak, on 28 October 2026, drawing attention to Malaysian Borneo as the starting point of a 7,500km race to Melbourne, Australia.
With the opening leg taking contestants through Borneo, the programme places the region's rainforest landscapes and cultural heritage before a major UK television audience.
Kuching Marks the Starting Line
The celebrity line-up includes singer Ella Eyre and her childhood friend Nana, alongside Eurovision star Sam Ryder and his tour manager Kaz. Sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling teams up with his son Matt, while siblings Princess and Junior Andre complete the four pairs.
The teams must navigate five checkpoints across three countries and two continents without flights, smartphones or credit cards. With only paper maps and a budget of £26 per person per day, they must arrange their own transport and rely on help from strangers along the way.
Kuching marks the beginning of this journey, with the contestants travelling through Borneo before continuing towards the Australian finish line.
A Boost for Sarawak's International Tourism Profile
The BBC programme arrives during Visit Malaysia 2026, the country's national tourism campaign, giving Sarawak additional exposure among British travellers.
Tourism Malaysia has welcomed the programme's focus on Sarawak, recognising its potential to introduce audiences to the state's biodiversity, cultural traditions and natural attractions.
Sulaiman Suip, Director of Tourism Malaysia UK & Ireland, also highlighted Sarawak's food, rivers, trails and hospitality as reasons to explore beyond what viewers see on television.
The programme has also attracted attention within the international travel industry. Ahead of World Travel Market London, Sarawak Tourism Board identified the series as a major talking point, reflecting an opportunity to raise the state's profile among overseas travel agents and tourism partners.
Exploring Sarawak Beyond Kuching
For travellers interested in discovering more of Malaysian Borneo, Kuching provides access to national parks, wildlife encounters and cultural experiences within reach of the city.
A boat journey leads to Bako National Park, where mangrove forests and coastal trails provide opportunities to encounter proboscis monkeys and other wildlife.
Nearby, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre offers a chance to observe semi-wild orangutans, while Sarawak Cultural Village showcases traditional longhouses and the customs of Sarawak's diverse communities.
Travellers can experience all three alongside Kuching's historical landmarks in just four days.
Sarawak is also home to UNESCO-listed Gunung Mulu National Park is known for its vast limestone cave systems and striking Pinnacles. Its show caves and suspended canopy walkway offers opportunities to explore both underground and among the treetops, with the chance to witness the evening bat exodus at Deer Cave.
From Kuching's surrounding forests to the limestone formations of Mulu, Sarawak offers a range of experiences that extend far beyond what can be captured on television.