BBC Race Across the World viewers 'broken' as contestant Alfie in tears

BBC Race Across the World's Alfie was left in tears as he candidly opened up about the loss of his mum when he was just five years old. The contestant was overcome with emotion during the latest episode of the 2024 series, which aired on Wednesday, April 24, as he and his friend Owen travelled through Hoi An in Vietnam.

As they reached the Old Town and its floating lanterns, Alfie was taken aback by the beautiful scenes and asked the camera crew if he could take a minute to himself, before sharing that his family has set off a lantern every year since his mum died with a message attached.

"To be able to kind of reignite that, would be incredible," Alfie said. He then told viewers at home that his mum was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer shortly after he was born, and was given just six weeks to live.

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However, Alfie then revealed: "It was her number one aim, she said, 'Well if I'm going to die, I'm at least going to die when he's in school,' so she managed to take me to school on the first day, I think it was a very proud day for her. It was genuinely a deterioration from there, and I think she'd kind of pushed it as far as she could in terms of battling on. She kept hanging on."

He added: "I was five when my mum passed away, in December of 2008." As he lit a floating lantern and let it go, Alfie said: "This is the first opportunity I've had on the race to think about my mum. I'm just inundated with emotions I've genuinely not felt since I was a little kid. I just kind of want that sensation of being able to see her again."

Alfie then put his hands on his head before tearfully telling the cameras: "I miss her intensely, and I still dream of what was."

Many viewers at home took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their support, as one wrote: "Really feel for Alfie," while another added: "Alfie's story has me sobbing."

"Alfie has absolutely broken me," said a third, while a fourth commented: "Was not ready for that," followed by a tearful emoji. You can keep up to date with the latest TV and showbiz news by signing up to the newsletter here.