Race Across The World has been branded a 'fix' by viewers after the final aired last night (May 10). The BBC show sees five pairs of travellers take on a race which sees them travel through several countries without catching planes, using their phones and having no access to internet.
Using only the cash equivalent of their airfare from their starting destination to the finishing line, the contestants are forced to find innovative ways to manage their budget and complete their journey.
The third series of the TV show reached the final last night, but viewers were quick to accuse producers of 'bribing' people into giving lifts to some contestants after one pair were apparently 'robbed' of a 14-hour head start.
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In Wednesday night's show the winner was revealed (SPOILERS BELOW) but some viewers weren't happy with the decision, claiming the final episode was a 'fix', reports Yorkshire Live.
The third series hasn't been without controversy as this time, the Race Across The World was confined to just Canada, with many of the contestants relying on taxis or the same trains and buses as one another.
BBC viewers saw Tricia and Cathie win the series and many called the pair 'absolute legends' as they reached the lighthouse at Spear Point before Monique and Ladi and Zainib and Mobeen.
But others said that the pair were gifted a free lift earlier on in the episode. At one point, we saw the couple given a place to stay for the night by a couple who told them they wouldn't be able to drive them.
The next morning, the couple changed their tune, offering to take them to St John's - a destination very close to the final checkpoint.
This in turn helped their strategy, which was to get the shorter, earlier ferry, which ultimately helped them win the £20,000 grand prize.
One viewer even went as far as mentioning the word 'bribery' from producers.
@girlgottadoo said: "Oh how convenient. Sorry but this show is so fixed it’s blatant now," as @kevmills14 added "#RaceAcrossTheWorld another last minute fluke...."
@chrisb99uk said: "Wow these producers are persuasive. Got them a room now"
@davidmackayy said: "Have the producers bribed that couple who previously wouldn’t take them? What’s changed their mind?? #raceacrosstheworld".
It came after Zainib and Mobeen were 'robbed' of their 14 hour lead at the very start of the episode by being 'released' in the evening - where they then had to find a place to stay for the night because they had no way to travel that late on in the day.
Viewers took to Twitter to share their thoughts.
@mrKlawUK said: "#RaceAcrossTheWorld is doing my head in. Two episodes in a row where Zainib and Mobeen had 12+hr leads but had to start at night and immediately end up stuck and paying for a hotel so losing their lead and money."
@soul_sniper65 said: "Somehow the 14 hour lead will be wiped out for dramatic effect," as @airwavey said: "Zainib & Mobeen's 14 hour advantage wiped out by the stupid time they were "set free""
@charliclement tweeted: "So annoying how often the lead has been lost by way of them having to set off at night!!"
@stattosi said: "So all the talk of 10, 14 hours lead and they'll all end up on the same bus, race becomes a dead heat then #RaceAcrossTheWorld"
@hasanutd6 said: "This hasn’t been a good series, boring and hardly any excitement. All I remember from this series is catching a bus a day later and losing your lead #RATW #RaceAcrossTheWorld"
But many others were thrilled for Tricia and Cathy all the same - with many viewers also praising the generous helpfulness of Canadians and the breathtaking scenery of Canada itself.
@hathorsdaughter said: "I'm so happy for Tricia and Cathy. Well done you absolute legends."
@amyjoanne_ said: "Oh my god go on Tricia and Cathie!! Such lovely people #RaceAcrossTheWorld"
@nikkiaboleyn said: "Ah really? Out of them all this is the couple i least wanted to win. #RaceAcrossTheWorld"
@minimars73 said: "I really didn't mind who won but Trish & Kathy were so deserving. Well done ladies #RaceAcrossTheWorld"
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