Yahoo News Race Across the World viewers disappointed by first elimination
The BBC travel show has sent its first couple home, but viewers did not agree with the decision to cut the number of contestants down
What did you miss?
Race Across the World has eliminated its first pair of contestants, but viewers think the show should have allowed all of them to complete it.
In a harsh move, the pair finishing in fifth place for this week's leg travelling from South Korea to Cambodia through Vietnam were sent home - to the disappointment of fans.
The episode also left viewers confused over the decision to miss out China, breaking a major show rule by flying the contestants from South Korea to Vietnam instead.
What, how, and why?
Race Across the World eliminated the first pair from this year's series after a race from South Korea to Cambodia through Vietnam - and viewers were not happy about the decision.
The contestants were told that whoever finished in last place by the Cambodian checkpoint in Phnom Penh would be sent home, and after a close race between slowest two pairs Sharon and Brydie, and Stephen and Viv, it was the mother and daughter who were eliminated.
One viewer commented on X: "Gutted to see Brydie and Sharon go!" Someone else added: "Elimination leg can get in the bin, especially when my favourite team lost to my least favourite team."
Another person commented: "I love #RaceAcrossTheWorld but why do they need to ditch a couple? Such a buzz kill."
"Honestly, I don’t want anyone to be eliminated. Why do they eliminate? All couples give something to the show & I’d love to see them all race to the end," another viewer wrote.
Winning this week's leg were Alfie and Owen, but ultra competitive contestant Alfie had an emotional stop off in Vietnam.
Alfie brought viewers to tears when he stopped off in Hoi An to light a water lantern in memory of his late mum, explaining that she had passed away from cancer when he was just five.
One viewer commented: "Awh, Alfie talking about his mum and lighting a lantern in her memory was so emotional."
Someone else wrote: "Wasn't prepared to cry at #RaceAcrossTheWorld! Alfie's story is so sad," as another person agreed: "Oh, bawling my eyes out now watching #RaceAcrossTheWorld Alfie."
What else happened on Race Across the World?
Viewers were left scratching their heads at the start of the episode when the teams were given the message that they would be breaking with Race tradition and flying from South Korea to Vietnam.
The next point on the route was expected to be China, as Eugenie asked: "Where do you think we'll be going next?" and rival Alfie replied: "It's got to be China."
But they then read out the message: "It is not possible for the race to continue through China. You will fly to Hanoi where the race will continue."
Stephen added: "I am genuinely disappointed we're not going to China – just completely mind-blown by the jump."
One viewer commented on X: "How intriguing, I wonder why they had to skip China. They went through China in the 1st series."
Someone else added: "I am really disappointed the show decided not to go through China, and fly to the next destination. The working title of the show was called 'flightless'. What is the point of the show if they decide to fly places they don't want to go to?"
One viewer asked: "What, no explanation as to why they can't travel in China?" as someone else wondered: "Did China go into another lockdown at this point of the race or something?"
But as Stephen, who jumped various ticket queues last week, tapped his watch at a bus driver, one viewer joked: "Maybe for the best Stephen wasn’t unleashed across China," and someone else agreed: "probably bypassed China so Stephen didn't cause an international incident."
Race Across the World airs on BBC One at 9pm on Wednesdays.
