Jeff Stelling Set for Reality TV Debut on Celebrity Race Across The World
In a surprising career move, legendary football broadcaster Jeff Stelling has reportedly signed up to appear on the hit BBC reality series Celebrity Race Across The World. The 71-year-old former host of Gillette Soccer Saturday will make his first foray into reality television alongside his 26-year-old son Matthew, marking a significant departure from his decades-long role in sports journalism.
Filming Completed with Other Celebrity Contestants
According to sources, Stelling and his son have already completed filming for the show, which took place in February. They competed against other celebrity pairs, including Junior and Princess, the children of Katie Price and Peter Andre. The BBC views Stelling's participation as a major coup, given his esteemed reputation in the football world and his broad public appeal.
A source close to the production told The Sun: "Jeff absolutely loves a challenge and when he was approached by the BBC to take part in Celebrity Race Across The World, he went for it. He entered with his son Matt and they had a blast together. The BBC know it’s a coup to get Jeff in the competition as he’s so well respected."
Following in the Footsteps of Previous Winners
Stelling and his son are set to appear in the show's fourth series, which is due to air later this year. They will follow in the footsteps of brother-and-sister duo Roman Kemp and Harleymoon Kemp, who won the previous series that concluded in December. Celebrity Race Across The World, which debuted in 2023, tasks celebrities with racing across a region using any transportation except air travel, and has garnered a positive reception from audiences.
Stelling's Illustrious Career and Charitable Work
Jeff Stelling is best known for his nearly 30-year tenure on Gillette Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports, where he became a household name delivering live football scores alongside colleagues like Chris Kamara. Since leaving the show in 2023, he has taken on roles including hosting Countdown on Channel 4, fronting the ITV game show Alphabetical, and co-hosting the talkSPORT Breakfast Show with Ally McCoist.
Beyond broadcasting, Stelling has a notable history of charitable endeavors. In 2017, he completed 15 marathons in 15 days for good causes, and he has undertaken 34 charity walks since 2016. His fundraising and campaigning for prostate cancer charities earned him an MBE in 2023. Additionally, he made a cameo appearance in the popular Apple TV series Ted Lasso, showcasing his versatility beyond sports media.
This new venture into reality TV represents a fresh chapter for Stelling, blending his love for challenges with family bonding, as he and Matthew embark on this adventurous competition.
