Yahoo News Celebrity Race Across The World: Shock message forces favourites to quit with finish line in sight
Fan favourites Billy Monger and Bonny quit as close family member in 'bad accident'
Watch moment Billy Monger and sister Bonny quit Celebrity Race Across The World
What did you miss?
Celebrity Race Across The World broke hearts on Wednesday when fan favourites Billy Monger and his sister Bonny were forced to leave the show unexpectedly after a family accident.
The pair had just won the third leg as they arrived first in Berlin but tragedy struck when the brother and sister had to make an unexpected return to the UK.
News of a close family member in a bad accident meant the duo made the hard decision to quit Celebrity Race Across The World instead of continuing onto the final checkpoint in Tromsø, Norway.
As the episode aired, Monger updated fans of the show on social media: "Bonny and I were gutted to have to leave the race. A close family member had a bad accident so we had to get home. Thankfully all is OK now. We loved the journey."
How, what, why?
Arriving at reception, Mel Blatt took the envelope from the receptionist but she is shocked to find two notes inside: one including the important checkpoint information and the other delivering sad news.
"There are two notes in here," she told her mum Helene.
The narrator of the show then revealed there was some “unexpected news” waiting for Blatt, her mum, Harry Judd, his mum Emma as well as Alex Beresford and his dad Noel.
The Monger siblings had written a heartfelt note to their competitors saying they were no longer able to continue with the race.
The letter read: "Dear guys, we are sorry to say to say a family emergency has meant that we’ve decided to leave the race. Wishing you all the best and catch you on home soil."
In a piece to camera, the disappointed siblings said they were "gutted" and addressed why they were leaving the race.
The former racing driver said: "Unfortunately we’ve had a family emergency back in the UK so me and Bon are deciding to leave the race before the last leg.
"We’re obviously gutted. Felt like we were growing into the race. We’ve got some lifelong memories together. We’re sad to be leaving the race but family comes first. It’s a shame but I think it’s for the best."
As the episode aired, Monger took to social media to share more on the family emergency the pair had faced.
He wrote across his social media profiles: "Bonny and I were gutted to have to leave the race. A close family member had a bad accident so we had to get home. Thankfully all is OK now. We loved the journey."
Social media was awash with praise for the brother and sister who had captured the hearts of the nation.
Among the sea of comments, one fan wrote: "Billy and Bonnie the people’s champions. You won our hearts."
Others added: "Gutting that Billy and Bonnie had to leave Race Across the World. Can we just say the race ended in Berlin and they won? Family comes first and I really hope everything turned out OK when they got back."
"Let’s all agree that Billy and Bonny won, and this is actually a race for 2nd place, right?"
"Just finished watching Race Across The World, loved you and Bonnie! Your parents have done an amazing job. Love how determined you are in anything you do."
"So you wanted you both to win, hope everything is ok."
"Such an amazing young man and beautiful sister. Wanted you both to win."
"Gutted that you left celebrity race across the world. Best of luck on this journey."
"Gutted you were both my favourites."
What else happened?
Beresford and his dad Noel were crowned the winners of the show, with Judd and his mum Emma coming in second place - just minutes apart.
The weatherman said: “It feels fantastic we are on top of the world right now. This was the toughest experience I have had but we got to travel together as men. It has been unforgettable and something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Blatt and her mum Helene were delighted to join the group at the checkpoint, finishing the journey together in third place.
Elsewhere in the episode, Beresford got emotional when he discussed the abuse he faced following the very public fallout with Piers Morgan over Meghan Markle’s Oprah interview on Good Morning Britain in 2021.
He said: "I've never taken time away from work like this. The pace is different especially when you work in the media.
"The whole GMB Meghan Markle fall out was definitely a shock to the system to find yourself in the middle of a media storm was crazy.
"When you get subjected to criticism online you either have to stand up, or fold. You have to grow a thick skin very quickly. It knocked me a little bit. But, I definitely feel stronger having gone through it.
"When I look back on it now, I thank God for my family and friends because it's those people who get you through."
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