Jeff Stelling turned away from hostels: 'One big problem' at 71

Jeff Stelling has revealed the harsh reality of his budget travel adventure, admitting that his age became a significant obstacle during Celebrity Race Across the World. According to the Mirror ^[1], the 71-year-old broadcaster found himself denied entry to numerous hostels due to strict age limits, leaving his accommodation options severely limited. "When you're backpacking with someone like me, one big problem is that a lot of hostels will not let you in if you're over 35," Stelling explained, a fact that surprised his Morning Live co-host, Gethin Jones.

The former Soccer Saturday presenter, who is racing alongside his son Matt, detailed the physical toll of the journey to the Daily Mail ^[2]. Surviving on a mere £25 per person per day, Stelling disclosed that he lost a stone and a half during the race across Southeast Asia and Australia. He described moments of intense frustration, including being forced to shower with cold water from a pan and using a hole in the floor as a toilet. "It got to the point where I was thinking, enough is enough, I’m going home," he told The Times, though he insisted he had no real intention of quitting.

To cope with the rigours of the trip, Stelling admitted to discarding half the contents of his backpack, including a pair of designer jeans and a book, simply to keep the load manageable. Despite the hardships, he characterised the experience as "a lot of fun" in his interview with BBC hosts Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones ^[1]. The show, which began on October 28, sees four duos navigate from Borneo to Melbourne without credit cards or phones.

The race has not been without drama for other contestants, either. Princess and Junior Andre, aged 19 and 21, faced a harrowing night bus journey where two fellow passengers were vomiting, creating what Junior described as a "stank" nightmare. The Daily Mail reported ^[2] that the siblings were in last place at the end of the first episode, trailing 230km behind their rivals. Viewers took to social media to express sympathy for the pair, with some predicting they might not finish the race. Meanwhile, singer Ella Eyre and her friend Nana, along with Sam Ryder and his tour manager Kaz, are also competing for the win. The series continues to air on BBC One, with the next instalment scheduled for Wednesday evenings.