Race Across The World sobs 'he's not coming back' as she reveals her father's death from Covid

By EMMA GUINNESS and CONOR O'BRIEN, TV REPORTER 14:23 17 Apr 2026, updated 16:20 17 Apr 2026

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A Race Across the World contestant became emotional and broke down in tears as she reflected on her father's heartbreaking death from Covid. 

The poignant moment between Puja and her cousin Roshni took place as the pair travelled through Turkey on Puja's 32nd birthday.

The doctor explained that her special day has never been quite the same after losing her father during the pandemic, who contracted the virus after she fell unwell with Covid while working in an emergency department. 

Struggling to hold back her emotions in the latest episode of the BBC show, Puja said: 'When we lost dad, all of our birthdays have just been slightly different. 

'Having a card from dad, just dad being present… just seeing that familiar face.' 

Unable to hold back her tears any longer, the TV star put her head in her hands and sobbed: 'I just don't have it anymore.' 

Puja went on to explain that she had an even more intense experience of the pandemic than most people because she was working in an emergency department.  

She said in a piece to camera: 'After medical school, I was working in emergency medicine, I was really loving the job – but Covid kind of changed everything for me.

'In December 2021, we were just drowning in sick patients with Covid. Unfortunately, I got Covid.

'I was self-isolating in my room upstairs and making sure that I didn't touch anything. But then Dad got unwell.

'Having a relative in hospital with Covid – it feels like someone has your heart in their hands and is breaking it to pieces.

'It's heartbreaking when it hits you. He is not going to come back.'

Puja added to Roshni: 'It's just a big reminder that through all of the big moments of your life, dad's not going to be there.'

Puja heartbreakingly went on: '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.'

Fans at home were quick to take to social media to share their reaction to the scene, with one writing on X: 'Omg I'm in absolute bits.'

Someone else added: 'Oh you can just hear the guilt in her voice. Heartbroken for her. Highlights her sacrifice - just like all front line staff during the pandemic.'

At the end of the episode, Puja and Roshni became the first pairing to go home, as they arrived at the checkpoint in Turkey in fifth place.

The current series has tasked its pairs with travelling more than 12,000km from Sicily to northern Mongolia in a bid to win the £20,000 prize pot. 

In what the BBC have described as most difficult journey to date, the pairings are travelling through Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan - finishing in northern Mongolia.

The duos also include best friends Jo and Kush, siblings Katie and Harrison, father and daughter Andrew and Molly, and in-laws Mark and Margo.

In true Race Across The World fashion, they will have to complete the journey without the use of smart phones or bank cards, and using the cash equivalent of flying the same route.

The team who makes it to the end the fastest will take home the £20,000 prize.

Race Across the World has been a BBC smash hit since the reality TV series launched back in 2019 and has featured both civilians and celebrities embark on life-changing adventures.  

Race Across The World airs Thursdays on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.