Race Across The World fans in tears at Betty and James' emotional scene

The brother and sister duo had viewers in bits

Author: Alex RossPublished 23rd May 2024

The fourth series of Race Across The World has had viewers on the edge of their seats over the last two months, as this year's adventurous contestants attempt to reach the end point of Lombok in the Indonesian archipelago of Lesser Sunda.

Whilst we've witnessed tense and dramatic moments in the first six episodes, viewers were left in floods of tears during episode seven on Wednesday 22nd May, after brother and sister duo James and Betty opened up to each other.

After a few challenging days with limited sleep and food, the pair started to doubt themselves in the race, with Betty later going on to reveal she was diagnosed with MRKH Syndrome (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser) at the age of 16.

She said: "Shortly after my 16th birthday I was diagnosed with MRKH which means I don't have a uterus, I don't have a womb, and I only have one kidney as well."

Opening up about living with MRKH, Betty added: "As a young woman you're kind of told you are going to marry and you're going to have a family. From a young age when that is taken away from you, it does put doubts in your mind about your purpose as a person."

Speaking to her brother James about it for the first time in their lives, the pair understandably got emotional, as James listened to his sister's worries.

Later opening up to the cameraman on his own, James said: "It's only up until now I realise how much it does actually affect her," before he broke down and asked: "Can somebody just hug me please."

After the camera man hugged James, viewers took to social media to confess their love for Betty and James, admitting the scene left them in tears.

One wrote: '… Betty is a legend. Beautiful girl inside and out. James just broke my heart when he asked for a hug. 💔 Lovely siblings that really support and champion each other'.

Somebody else commented: 'Omg I’m devastated for our Betty, what she has gone through is beyond belief. The way James needed a hug from the cameraman too, I’m in bits #RaceAcrossTheWorld'. (sic)

Another added: 'So moving, especially when James was tearful and asked for a hug. His tender side came to the forefront because he loves his sister so much', with another writing: 'Omg James & Betty are breaking me 😭 #RaceAcrossTheWorld'. (sic)

A fourth added: 'Betty opening up about her health condition to James & to see him being so supportive was such a moving moment in this weeks Race Across the World. I'm so glad one of the camera crew gave him a hug. The change in their dynamic has been so lovely to see'. (sic)

Check out who is taking part in Race Across The World series four:

Alfie and Owen: WINNERS

Best friends.

Eugenie and Isabel: SECOND PLACE

Mother and daughter duo.

Betty and James: THIRD PLACE

Brother and sister duo.

Stephen and Viv: FOURTH PLACE

Married couple.

Sharon and Byrdie - ELIMINATED

Mother and daughter duo Sharon and Byrdie were eliminated during the third episode.

Following their emotional chat, it didn't take long for Betty and James to put their focus back on the competition, as they attempted to reach Jakarta to get the the seventh checkpoint.

Whilst Alfie and Owen had a huge 23 hours 27 minute lead on the rest of the group at the start of the episode, somehow mother and daughter duo Eugenie and Isabel made up the time, reaching the checkpoint in Jakarta just 12 minutes behind the boys.

Although Betty and James, and Stephen and Viv were still travelling when the episode ended, the preview for next week's finale seemingly set up a dramatic ending for the group, as the attempt to reach the final checkpoint and win the show.

Race Across The World airs on BBC One every Wednesday night.

Now read:

Your ultimate guide to Race Across The World

Celebrity Race Across The World renewed for second series

All of the popular TV shows looking for applicants right now

How to listen to MFR:

For great music and incredible competitions tune into MFR on FM and DAB across the North of Scotland, online, on our app, or say ‘Play MFR’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years.