Meet the Celebrity teams - 2026

Celebrity race across the world returns for a new 2026 series this week, with a route stretching from Borneo to Australia - covering ancient jungles to sun-baked desert, all without phones and a budget of £26 per person, per day.

The journey will cover three countries, 7,500km and 5 checkpoints, and once again you can play along at home, placing predictions on which team will arrive first in each leg, and which team you think will be first to the final stop in Melbourne.

For the first week we don't have much information beyond some basic facts and whatever pros and cons we can deduce from the promotional photos but here's what I've worked out so far about the teams:

Ella & Nana

"Award-winning singer-songwriter Ella Eyre, is racing with her childhood friend Nana. Having bonded at school they now live countries apart so are hoping the race will reunite them."

Ella and Nana seem like a decent team - their 20 year friendship is a solid base, and they should have some life experience as well as youthful energy. Ella's biggest hit is the song "Waiting all night" which if this indicates a good level of patience or ability to function without sleep could be a good advantage to their chances.

Pros: Both of them are shown with sunglasses which seems good for the Australian sun

Cons: They're not pictured with backpacks. If they've forgotten them, they might not last long in the race.

Jeff & Matt

"Veteran sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling and his son Matt."

Jeff is best known for hosting Soccer Saturday for nearly 30 years, as well as a few years hosting Countdown - so at the very least he's skilled at sitting down and watching other people work at speed! His son Matt has done some hostelling, but noted it didn't feature anyone in their 70's - so not a great vote of confidence in his dad.

Pros: Matt has sunglasses and a neat little man bag!

Cons: Jeff has neither.

Princess & Junior

"Influencer Princess Andre and her brother, musician Junior Andre have shared a childhood in the public eye, making their sibling bond incredibly strong"

As you might deduce from their names - Princess and Junior Andre are children of Katie Price and Peter Andre. They seem keen to prove they can step out of their parents shadows - Princess having already done this with her own ITV reality show, having stared in at least 11(?) of her parents shows literally since birth (Katie & Peter: the Baby diaries - she was the eponymous baby!).

Clearly both will be comfortable with the cameras, but this is the first time either have done backpacking. Based on several of the titles of the Katie & Peter reality TV universe (Down Under, African Adventures) they probably both have extensive travel experience, although I doubt hostels and homestays were on the agenda.

Pros: Both are shown with solid backpacks and as easily the youngest team, may have more energy then the others.

Cons: Neither have sunglasses, and I suspect this team may struggle the most without technology.

Sam & Kaz

"British Eurovision legend, Sam Ryder with his best friend and tour manager Kaz"

Used to roughing it on tour together, Sam and Kaz are clearly the most experienced duo, although its not clear how much they will focus on the race. Keen to meet others, and used to touring in vans they may have a laid back approach that doesn't stand them well in the show. But a strong friendship gives them a good start, and if Sam can get Eurovision watchers across Europe to give points to a British act he can probably do anything. Sam's also recently been staring in Jesus Christ Superstar, so if he's learnt to walk on water the race might be a doddle.

Pros: They both have backpacks, man-bags and in lieu of sunglasses - hats!

Cons: In a jungle situation Sam might get lost in that jacket, and Kaz's squint suggests he regrets not bringing sunglasses.

Think from that you can predict who'll take first place in leg 1? Get your prediction in before episode one airs on Wednesday!