The BBC reality series, Destination X, has been one of the most talked-about UK shows on TV throughout August.
The competition is based on the award-winning Belgian format launched in 2023 on commercial broadcaster VTM, and mixes mind-bending puzzles with intrepid travel. Essentially, it’s like Race Across the World meets The Traitors .
The first season came to a dramatic close tonight, but rumours about the future of the show are already beginning to circulate. Here’s what you need to know.
You can also read why BBC’s next dating series will fill your Love Island void .
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Will there be a series 2 of Destination X?
The BBC is yet to announce anything about a second series of Destination X . However, some tabloids are beginning to report that talks are underway.
The source originates from The Daily Star , who claim that execs at the BBC have had a “top-secret meeting with producers” and are planning to announce the news soon.
Despite what some reports say, this news is not officially confirmed and is just a rumour until the BBC says otherwise.
Who is the host of Destination X?
The host of the UK edition of Destination X is Rob Brydon, a Welsh actor, comedian and presenter best known for his role as Uncle Bryn in the BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey. Brydon, a BAFTA nominee, also starred in the series The Trip and the Hollywood blockbuster, Barbie. Furthermore, since 2009, he has hosted the popular panel show Would I Lie to You.
Rob Brydon said:
How could I turn down the opportunity to become the mastermind of Destination X, the thrilling new travel adventure series coming to the BBC next year. It’s a show that turns the whole of Europe into a board game – manipulating the players and the audience at home along the way. I can’t wait to be the puppet master orchestrating every twist and turn as our contestants are taken on a journey where everything is not as it seems. It’s going to be a wild ride!
Rob discussed more about the role with the BBC . He’s looking to take inspiration from The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman to be a bridge between the contestants and viewers. He is also getting adventurous with his outfits, which will include small clues about the region they’re in.
We don’t yet know if Rob Brydon will return for a potential series 2 of Destination X UK.
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What is Destination X about?
The new BBC show follows a group of participants who will embark on a journey through Europe. However, there’s a catch – they don’t have the slightest idea of which country they’re in.
As you can see in the Destination X trailer, contestants reach venues in a bus with blacked-out windows. Their task will be to guess where they are dropped by going to a special ‘map room’ on the bus and placing an X on where they think they are.
Whoever puts their mark the furthest away from the actual location will be asked to leave the competition.
To figure it out, players will have to solve a set of puzzles – to make the game more exciting, they will contain both actual clues and misdirects. Viewers can also play along at home, as they can speculate about the mystery locations each week from the comfort of their sofas.
Destination X UK consists of ten episodes. At the end of each instalment, players must guess the location they’re in. The person whose guess is furthest from the actual place will be eliminated from the game. The first contestant to reach the final destination, called Destination X, will be crowned the winner and will get £100,000.
Is there a trailer for Destination X?
Yes – someone has uploaded the latest full trailer:
And here’s the first teaser of the upcoming adventure reality competition series:
Who are the contestants of Destination X?
Destination X features 13 contestants in total. The BBC has more in-depth interviews with each player , but here’s a quick overview of them all:
Ashvin
23 years old, Economics Graduate from London
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
Ben
42 years old, Surf School Director from South Wales
Ben is hoping his occupation and experience will come in useful throughout Destination X: “I have experience and am fairly capable in outdoor activities. Being a surfer, you’re used to dealing with lots of situations very quickly. A lot of my friends define me as affable. I get on with people quite well. I’ve just spent a few weeks in a caravan with my family so can handle confined spaces.”
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
Chloe-Ann
27 years old, Historian from Oxford
With an academic background a hobby in circus arts, Chloe-Ann believes her unique skillset made her a great choice for the show: “It’s probably the combination of history and aerial arts. But I’ve always been into puzzle solving and that’s the way I view history – like a huge detective puzzle of the past. It’s the kind of treasure hunt that can lead you all over the world, which is very similar to this game.”
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
Claire
51 years old, Retired Detective Sergeant from West Sussex
As a former member of the police for nearly half her life, Claire believes that this role gives her far more experience than others may realise: “…the key thing about the army and the police is your communication skills. They get you everywhere in life in general. It’s not just about being good at investigating, you need to know how to communicate and listen, ask the right questions, how to come across and how to find out answers.”
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
Daren
58 years old, Taxi Driver from London
Any former London cabbie has an astute sense of direction, but Daren has far more to bring to the table: “In 2019 I lost five stone, and since then I encourage people with mundane jobs to do incredible things. I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru with two other cabbies. After that, my next challenge was rowing across the Atlantic with no nautical experience.”
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
Dawn
33 years old, Care Assistant from Derry
Dawn is relying on her people skills to help form alliances on the bus: “I’m sitting here saying that I’m not going to make friends and I know I will build relationships and click with people. I’m going to be sad to see people go. I am a very bubbly and outgoing person and I can gain people’s trust quite easily.”
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
Deborah
62 years old, Crime Writer from Lytham
Deborah recognises that being part of a team is key to making it through this show: “I worked in IT for 40 years solving problems every single day. I took a lot away from team building exercises. You don’t always have to be the person that steps up to the front. Sometimes your role in the team is to be a little bit further back and recognise other people’s strengths.”
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
James
23 years old, E-commerce Manager from Manchester
James is taking no prisoners with his gameplay approach: “It’s a competition and if I’ve got to backstab and betray then I will. That’s quite cutthroat of me to say. The top line is I’d spend it on the betterment of my family’s life, setting myself up for where I want to be later in life and living whilst I can.”
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
Josh
26 years old, Pilot from Dartford
Josh is hoping his career will prove an advantage in pinpointing where the group is dropped: “I have a lot of qualities that can help me within the game such as flight training and I also know meteorology and navigation. I’m quite a social person as well. I’ve got a good mix of intelligence and sociability.”
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
Judith
28 years old, Nuclear Engineer from Bristol
Judith is going to bide her time when she first enters the competition: “I don’t have a strategy but I don’t want to be seen as one of the louder players initially. I feel like they always intimidate people. I want to ease into the game slowly. I’m not sure if I will directly say what my job is as I don’t want people to think I know a lot.”
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
Mahdi
22 years old, Content Creator from London
Mahdi hopes his city roots will come into play during Destination X, especially: “…my confidence and growing up in Tottenham. I’m very aware of my surroundings which could be an advantage for me in this process. I’m very cautious and I think about what I’m about to do next.”
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
Nick
35 years old, Endurance Athlete from Cornwall
Nick has run a marathon in every country in the world, but that doesn’t necessarily give him an advantage: “To win the game, I am definitely going to need more knowledge than I currently have. I think you need an element of luck too. Winning the money isn’t necessarily winning the game in my eyes.”
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
Saskia
25 years old, Marketing Executive from Birmingham
Saskia is looking to play a fair game, and bond with her fellow teammates: “I think I’ll form alliances with people, not based on their knowledge but more on their personality and who they are. I believe in understanding people’s characters and working with them.”
BBC/TwoFour/Ray Burmiston
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