Celebrity Race Across the World Postponed for a Week Due to Morocco Earthquake

The BBC has postponed the launch of the new series of Celebrity Race Across the World following the devastating earthquake in Morocco.

The programme had originally been scheduled to begin on BBC One on Wednesday 13th September 2023. However, just days before transmission, the BBC announced that the premiere episode would be delayed out of respect for those affected by the disaster.

The first episode of the celebrity spin-off series begins in Marrakesh, Morocco, one of the areas closely connected to the earthquake coverage and relief efforts.

Why Was the Programme Delayed?

The decision came after a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco on 8th September 2023.

The earthquake caused widespread devastation across parts of the High Atlas mountain region south of Marrakesh and resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries.

Because the opening episode of Celebrity Race Across the World was filmed in Marrakesh, the BBC decided postponing the launch was the most appropriate course of action.

In a statement, the BBC said:

“In light of the earthquake in Morocco we have taken the decision to postpone the first episode of Celebrity Race Across the World, which was filmed in Marrakesh.”

The postponement reflected wider sensitivity across television networks and media organisations regarding programming linked to the affected region.

What is Celebrity Race Across the World?

Celebrity Race Across the World is a celebrity version of the popular BBC travel competition series Race Across the World.

The format sees pairs of contestants race across multiple countries using:

• Public transport
• Limited budgets
• No flights
• No smartphones
• No internet access

Contestants must travel thousands of kilometres while managing money, transport and accommodation along the way.

The celebrity version features well-known personalities travelling alongside family members.

The 2023 series included:

• Harry Judd and his mother Emma
• Alex Beresford and his father Noel
• Melanie Blatt and her mother Helene
• Billy Monger and his sister Bonny

The route stretched more than 10,000km from Marrakesh in Morocco to Tromsø in Norway.

The BBC’s Response

The postponement was generally viewed as a respectful decision given the scale of the disaster.

The BBC and producers faced a difficult balance between:

• Continuing scheduled entertainment programming
• Showing sensitivity toward the tragedy
• Avoiding uncomfortable timing
• Respecting those affected

Online reaction from viewers was mixed.

Many viewers supported the delay, believing it would have felt inappropriate to broadcast a travel entertainment programme centred on Morocco while rescue operations were ongoing.

Others argued that the series had been filmed months earlier and could still have aired with:

• A charity appeal
• Viewer donations
• On-screen acknowledgements

However, the BBC ultimately chose to postpone the launch by one week.

New Air Date Confirmed

A few days later, the BBC confirmed that the programme would instead launch on:

• Wednesday 20th September 2023
• BBC One
• 9pm

This maintained the original Wednesday evening scheduling slot while allowing some distance from the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.

The delay ended up being relatively short, but many viewers appreciated the broadcaster’s cautious approach.

Morocco’s Importance to Tourism

The postponement also highlighted Morocco’s importance as a major tourism destination.

Marrakesh remains one of the most visited cities in North Africa and is particularly popular with:

• British tourists
• European travellers
• Travel television productions

The earthquake temporarily affected:

• Tourism
• Transport
• Infrastructure
• Local businesses
• Mountain villages

However, tourism officials later encouraged visitors to continue supporting Morocco’s economy once recovery efforts stabilised.

Travel Shows and Real-World Events

The incident also demonstrated how real-world events can unexpectedly affect television schedules.

Travel programmes are particularly vulnerable because they often showcase:

• Real locations
• Local communities
• Tourism destinations
• Cultural experiences

When disasters occur, broadcasters sometimes reassess whether scheduled programming could appear insensitive or uncomfortable for viewers.

Similar postponements have happened previously following:

• Terror attacks
• Natural disasters
• National mourning periods
• Major world events

The Growing Popularity of Race Across the World

Despite the delayed launch, Celebrity Race Across the World proved highly successful once broadcast.

The wider Race Across the World format has become one of the BBC’s most popular factual entertainment programmes thanks to its focus on:

• Real travel experiences
• Human relationships
• Budget travel
• Cultural exploration

Many viewers praised the celebrity version for retaining much of the warmth and authenticity of the original format.

The series later returned for additional seasons following strong audience figures.

Final Thoughts

The postponement of Celebrity Race Across the World demonstrated the BBC’s attempt to respond sensitively to the tragic earthquake in Morocco.

While the delay lasted only one week, it reflected the seriousness of the disaster and the broadcaster’s concern about launching an entertainment programme closely linked to Marrakesh during a period of national tragedy.

Once eventually broadcast, the series went on to become a successful addition to the Race Across the World franchise and introduced many viewers to a challenging and emotional journey across Europe and North Africa.