In a deeply moving moment on the latest episode of BBC's Race Across the World, a doctor participating in the series broke down in tears as she confessed to feeling overwhelming guilt over her father's death from Covid-19. Puja, who works in emergency medicine, shared her heartbreaking story while competing in the reality TV show, which follows pairs racing over 12,000 kilometers from Palermo, Italy, to Mongolia.
Emotional Confession on Screen
During the episode, Puja revealed that it was her birthday and she was missing her family while at an animal sanctuary in Turkey. She tearfully explained how her father's absence has changed family celebrations forever. "Since we lost dad, all of our birthdays have just been slightly different," she said. "Having a card from dad, just dad being present, seeing that familiar face, I just don't have it anymore... It's hard because you just want to hear his voice or just know what his opinion is."
Guilt Over Bringing Covid Home
Puja then detailed how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted her life and led to her father's tragic death. After finishing medical school, she began working in emergency medicine, but the pandemic "changed everything." In December 2021, she contracted Covid-19 while treating a flood of sick patients. She isolated herself in her room upstairs, taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus.
However, her father later fell ill with Covid-19 and was hospitalized. Describing the agony of having a relative in the hospital during the pandemic, Puja said, "It feels like someone basically has your heart in their hand and it's just tearing it to pieces. It's heartbreaking when it hits you. He's not going to come back."
She admitted to carrying a heavy burden of guilt, stating, "I felt a lot of guilt because in my mind I brought Covid home, I put him in this situation and it was my fault. I still struggle with that." Her cousin Roshni, a software engineer and her teammate on the show, consoled her by praising her ability to control her emotions.
Race Across the World Context
The 2026 season of Race Across the World has been billed as "the most extreme race to date," with contestants facing conditions ranging from sweltering Mediterranean heat to glacial temperatures in the east, all on a budget of just £26 per day. The race spans eight countries: Italy, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia.
Despite their emotional moment, Puja and Roshni were eliminated from the series after arriving last at a checkpoint. They had been in second place earlier in the race but fell behind after best friends Jo and Kush blew their budget to make up for lost time. Meanwhile, siblings Katie and Harrison maintained a healthy lead.
Show Details and Reception
Race Across the World airs on Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One and has garnered positive reviews from fans. TV columnist Adam Miller praised the latest instalment, calling it "never better" and noting that one team "stole my heart." The series continues to captivate audiences with its blend of adventure and personal stories.
