Anita Rani Reveals She Reverted to Her “Teenage” Self During Celebrity Race Across the World

Anita Rani, known for her roles on BBC’s Woman’s Hour and Countryfile, has candidly revealed how she slipped back into her teenage mindset during the reality series Celebrity Race Across the World. The show features celebrities undertaking a 5,900km journey from Isla Mujeres through Central America to Colombia’s Península de La Guajira, navigating without flights or smartphones.

Anita teamed up with her father, Balvinder Singh Nazran, a semi-retired businessman, embarking on this challenging race to spend quality time together. However, the pressure quickly triggered a nostalgic reaction. Reflecting on the experience in an interview with Radio Times, Anita admitted, “Maybe an hour into the race, the cameras were rolling and Dad was telling me off about something, and I turned into teenage me, stomping and pouting.”

Balvinder shared the reason behind his firm approach: “She was running into the road, and I just told her to step back!” His strictness stemmed from his upbringing in an Asian family where respect for parents was paramount. He opened up emotionally during a poignant visit to a Mayan temple, revealing his youthful passion for travel and ambition to join the Royal Air Force—dreams tempered by family expectations. Leaving school at 15 to support his family, Balvinder worked tirelessly to provide more for his children than he had.

Anita, raised in Bradford to Indian-born parents who ran a textile business, studied broadcasting at the University of Leeds before joining the BBC as a researcher and later a presenter. In 2023, after separating from her ex-husband, she described entering “chapter two” of her life, reflecting deeply on personal growth.

Celebrity Race Across the World captures these intimate family dynamics against the backdrop of a grueling adventure, highlighting the blend of challenge and connection. The series airs on BBC One on Thursday, November 27, from 8 pm to 9 pm.