Dylan and his mum Jackie opened up on their family’s heartbreaking loss
20:46, 13 Nov 2025
Dylan and his mum Jackie shared the death of a family memory encouraged them to take on the challenge(Image: BBC)
Celebrity Race Across the World viewers were brought to tears after a heartbreaking moment. The hit BBC programme returned for a third series last week with a fresh star-studded cast. However, the most recent episode saw one team open up about a personal loss.
All teams took part in a special ceremony in Guatemala as they sat around a fire. They drank a liquid which is said to bring piece in Guatemalan history.
It provided a moment for them “let go” of anything they were holding onto in their lives. Roman Kemp was first to speak up, as he shared his own personal experiences.
Tyler West also chipped in, before viewers were brought to tears by Dylan Llewellyn and his mum. Dylan’s mum Jackie said: “I feel a sense of peace and connection to people I’ve lost in my life.”
Dylan added: “Me and my mum lost someone close to us. I lost my brother and my mum lost her son. His name is James. I just wish he could take my place and do all this and travel the world but but he never got to.”
Viewers were brought to tears by the emotional moment(Image: BBC)
The actor was emotional as he explained his oldest brother took his own life when he was 20 years old. He said: “It hit us all hard so hard. Doing this race is like doing this for my brother and my mum, he would’ve loved this.”
Dylan and his mum were in tears as they bonded with the group by sharing their heartbreaking news. Viewers were just as emotional as they took to social media during the episode.
On X, one viewer said: “Heartbreaking to learn that about Dylan and his mum” while a second said: “Oh Dylan! Absolutely heartbreaking.”
A third said: “Dylan opening up about his younger brother James who took his own life at the age of 20 [crying emojis] Heartbreaking!!!!!”
More added: “Roman very touched by this. Very emotional”, “Thought it was not possible to love Dylan Llewelyn more. A wonderful bond between mum and son” and “If Dylan and his mum weren’t my favourites already, they absolutely are now. Come on, you can do this!”
The four groups have embarked on one of the most breathtaking routes yet, discovering the Caribbean and Pacific coast of Central America.
Their journey began on the idyllic Caribbean island of Isla Mujeres, just off the easternmost point of Mexico and the teams must race 5,900km to reach the finish line in the remote and breathtaking Península de La Guajira in Colombia – the gateway to South America.
Derry Girls actor Dylan Llewellyn is taking part in the competition with his mum, Jackie. Other stars taking part include Roman Kemp and his sister Harleymoon, Strictly Come Dancing stars Tyler West and Molly Rainford and actor broadcast Anita Rani with her dad, Bal.
Celebrity Race Across the World airs Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer
