Race Across the World viewers can't believe duck herding is an actual job

What did you miss?

Race Across the World viewers have joked they are considering a career change after watching a duck herding scene on the BBC show.

Contestants were shown travelling through Thailand this week, and Stephen and Viv stopped off at a paddy field to earn a bit of extra cash for their race budget by herding 8,000 ducks.

The ducks were being used as a natural way of combatting pests on the rice crops, and viewers thought it looked like one of the best jobs they'd ever seen.

Race Across the World contestants have taken on some varied jobs to earn extra travelling money in the BBC One show, from cleaning to leaf picking. But as far as viewers were concerned, none of the roles vacant came anywhere close to being as fun as a duck herding job that Stephen and Viv stopped off for.

What, how, and why?

The husband-and-wife team had to herd 8,000 ducks into rice crops where they ate insects that would otherwise threaten the plants, and fans of the show couldn't get enough of the scenes.

They had a fab time doing it too. Viv said: "We've had a horrendous journey on the train but he's got a twinkle in his eye again."

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Social media was awash with comments praising how much fun it looked. One person commented on X: "That's the coolest job I've ever seen. That's it, I'm quitting work and becoming a duck herder."

Someone else agreed: "I'm quitting my job to become a duck herder in Thailand." Another viewer wrote: "My new goal in life is to be a duck herder."

"When you're watching race across the world on catch-up and see that herding 8000 ducks into a paddy field is a real job," commented one fan.

Someone else added: "I’m definitely in the wrong profession, I want to heard ducks for a living!"

"OMG. Duck herding on #RaceAcrossTheWorld. Sign me up," added someone else.

Viewers agreed it was the best odd job featured so far, as one person commented: "I don't think I'd move on from the duck place on #RaceAcrossTheWorld. #DuckWrangler."

Another viewer wrote: "Duck herding! Job of the series. Stephen and Viv won even if they don't win the race..."

What else happened on Race Across the World?

Viewers were surprised to find themselves getting emotional over a touching moment between Stephen and Viv as they opened up on their past health struggles.

Some viewers have found Stephen's attitude to people he has met in the race abrasive, but his love for Viv shone through as she spoke about having suffered a stroke the last time she had been diving from a boat on holiday.

It was an emotional moment for her to see pink dolphins in Thailand after a tough recovery from her stroke and Stephen broke down in tears as he told her: "Two things we wanted out of the race, you wanted me to have an adventure and I wanted you to see how strong you are."

One viewer commented: "Did not have Stephen and Viv making me cry on my bingo card!" Someone else added: "Viv getting emotional over dolphins was emotional to witness. The fact she went through all that and is still standing goes to show how braxve and how strong she is."

Another viewer wrote: "Some irritations aside, I've actually found myself growing quite fond of Stephen and Viv." Someone else agreed: "Viv & Stephen being lovely together again this episode. Obviously much love for each other."

Race Across the World airs on BBC One at 9pm on Wednesdays.