James, a Race Across The World contestant, almost lost his spot in the competition after experiencing every traveler’s worst fear – and fans were stunned.
The 21-year-old sales consultant has paired up with his sister Betty, 25, for the hit BBC travel programme, which features pairs travelling across countries without internet and on a shoestring budget.
However, when on way to Lombok, having begun the challenge in Japan, James experienced every traveller’s greatest nightmare: he almost lost his passport.
Betty and James had stopped on the side of the road in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, to look at the map and decide on the best route to the next checkpoint in Thailand, deciding to proceed through Battambang.
After making their selection, they boarded a tuk-tuk, only for James to discover that he was missing his bumbag, which held his passport and all of his Cambodian currency.
They quickly urged the driver to stop so James could get out and go down the street to see whether his luggage was still there.
It had been hidden in the bushes by a fortunate coincidence.
However, as James investigated the contents, he became concerned since he discovered that one of his items was missing.
Betty stayed cool, but informed the producers that if James’ passport was lost, they would have to withdraw from the competition since they would be unable to enter Thailand.
Viewers were astounded to learn that James nearly lost his passport, with one viewer, Caroline, telling X how ‘worried’ she would be in his place.
‘Yikes!!’ wrote Lindsay, who commented how ‘awful’ it would have been if the passport had disappeared for good.
‘I’d have the money belt and passport glued to my body 24/7,’ @FlopsyPickle remarked.
Another named Samuella said how ‘fortunate’ he was to have had his passport back.
Fortunately, James’ passport was still in the suitcase, allowing the brother and sister pair to continue their journey to Thailand.
Their Cambodian money, totaling £26.04, was, however, taken.
‘Thank God James still has his passport,’ wrote Pete, while Daniel added: ‘Good on the thieves for leaving the passport at least. Considerate I say.’
In another scene from the programme, Eugenie, 60, and Isabel, 25, a trainee clinical scientist, argued.
Teacher Eugenie told the producers: ‘It’s actually starting to get to me today. It’s the little digs and all the rest of it and being with Isabel 24/7 I don’t even get any space emotionally from it.’
After sensing her mother was not being her usual self, Isabel asked what had upset her.
Eugenie replied: ‘To be honest, I question why you want me on the race because at the moment I feel like I am your punchbag.’
Isabel said: ‘Mum I thought this would be an opportunity for us to get to know one another and connect emotionally.’
Eugenie added that she believed Isabel was ‘irritated’ by her, while her daughter stated that she was just impatient.
After tackling their concerns square on, they both determined to improve their communication.
Race Across The World airs next Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Source My Celebrity Life.