A thrilling new series of Race Across The World has hit screens as eager contestants dash across 14,000km through China, Nepal, and India for a substantial cash prize.

Without smartphones and armed with only £1,000 in cash, the duos face the challenge of a lifetime.

They spar in a daring race to successive checkpoints where they spend the night at local hotels – parts of the trip that are usually not shown on screen.

Now, Alfie Watts, winner of season four alongside Owen Wood, has shared some insiders' details about what really goes on when racers reach those pivotal pit stops.

Posting in a Facebook group, he unveiled that hotel stays can be longer than viewers might expect, often for "safety" reasons, writing: "It does change depending on finishing times to make sure nobody leaves at an utterly ridiculous time - mainly for safety."

Meanwhile, series two contestant Jen, who competed with her husband Rob, has also divulged additional secrets from the show's production.

She revealed contestants journey through the competition under constant supervision – each team shadowed by TV crew members – and revealed the presence of a "local fixer" and medical professional who follows around an hour behind the teams to provide assistance in emergencies.

Despite these revelations, Jen confirmed to the audience that there "isn't much viewers don't get to see" showcasing the authenticity of the intense and dramatic race experience viewers have come to love, reports Surrey Live.

"You are always with two crew members and a medic, with a local fixer close behind. The crew really don't contribute, despite what people think – however nonsensical our decisions might be," she divulged to The i Paper.

Jen further disclosed: "I remember crossing into a different time zone and almost missing a vital transport link, and the crew just had to roll with it. It's the same with our jobs directory – all genuine jobs on offer in the local areas, simply compiled."

She also shared that contestants could only proceed with their travels if at least one crew member was present, but this did not influence their chosen paths.

The hit show Race Across The World has reached its fifth series and continues to captivate audiences weekly on BBC One.

Race Across The World airs on BBC One on Wednesdays at 9pm. All series are available to stream on iPlayer.