BBC replaces Scott Mills with new host of Race Across The World podcast

Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Tyler West will replace Scott Mills as the host of the BBC’s new Race Across The World spin-off podcast.

Race Across The World: The Detour is described as the main programme’s “younger, wilder sibling”, and will chart the ups and downs of the upcoming series of the hit BBC show.

Mills, who won the 2024 celebrity version of Race Across The World with his husband Sam Vaughan, had been due to host the video podcast, which will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

However, he was sacked by the BBC last week after it emerged the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the 53-year-old in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000.

The police investigation was closed in 2019 after prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

Radio DJ West, the host of the Kiss FM breakfast show and who competed in last year’s series of Celebrity Race Across The World, will now take over the presenting role.

The podcast will also feature series four winner Alfie Watts, sharing his top travel tips and hacks.

Race Across The World sees teams of civilians participate in an epic race across countries without phones or credit cards and only the cash equivalent of the airfare to get there.

Race Across The World: The Detour will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds immediately after the first episode of the new series airs on Thursday night.

Guest will include travel influencers, comedians and celebrity fans of the show, such as West’s partner and actress Molly Rainford, with whom he competed on the celebrity version of the show.

Race Across The World: The Detour will be available weekly on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds from Thursday April 2, straight after the TV episode airs.