Derry Girls star Dylan Llewellyn was left in tears during tonight’s emotional episode of Celebrity Race Across the World, as he opened up about the tragic loss of his elder brother, James. The heartfelt scenes unfolded during a traditional ceremony in South America, where Dylan, 33, joined his mother Jackie alongside fellow contestants to honour the goddess of the cacao tree in Guatemala. By the end of the ceremony, the raw emotion and honesty shared by Dylan and his mum left not only the other racers but also viewers visibly moved (Source: BBC Entertainment, The Guardian).

Sharing a Heartbreaking Story

The ceremony involved drinking a cup of ceremonial cacao, a bitter chocolate beverage believed to have spiritual and healing properties. The female spiritual guide addressed the group, saying: “This is a special moment for you to let go today anything you no longer need to be carrying in your heart, your life and your mind to find peace and love.”

As the ceremony commenced, Jackie began to cry, sharing with the group — Roman and Harleymoon Kemp, and Mollie Rainford and Tyler West — how the ritual made her feel. She said, “I feel a sense of peace and connection to people I have lost in my life. It brings me closer…” The emotional atmosphere intensified when Dylan, struggling through tears, revealed: “Me and my mum lost someone close to us. I lost my brother and my mum lost her son. His name is James. I just wish he could take my place and do this, do all this and travel the world. But he never got to” (Source: The Independent).

Dylan Opens Up About James’ Death

Speaking directly to the camera, Dylan provided more details about James’ tragic death: “My eldest brother James, he um… he took his life when he was 20. I was 16. It just hit us all hard, so hard. Doing this race is like doing it for my brother and my mum. He would have loved to do something like this. I think she’d like to have that kind of journey with a son.” His candid revelation highlighted the profound impact the loss had on both Dylan and his mother, underlining the deep bond between them (Source: BBC News, The Guardian).

Support and Comfort From Fellow Competitors

Back at the campfire, Roman Kemp visibly struggled to hold back tears. He comforted Dylan, telling him, “He’s with you the whole time. He’d be sat right here, he’d be laughing at everything you’re going through.” Jackie, managing a smile through her own tears, added, “We’ve certainly had a lot of laughs so far!” The pair’s vulnerability resonated with the rest of the group, creating a deeply emotional moment for all involved.

Dylan continued to reflect on his brother’s life and influence: “He lived life to the full. He was so popular, he had so many friends. He was my hero.” He also shared his own motivation for participating in the race: “James was everything I wanted to be with his confidence. I really want to get out of my comfort zone and support my mum because I want to look after her on this trip — she deserves it. He would be proud of me, I think.” Jackie reassured him, saying, “He’s your guardian angel. He’s racing with us,” cementing the sense of spiritual connection and support the family felt throughout the ceremony (Source: The Independent).

Safety Warnings and Next Leg of the Race

The emotional episode also highlighted the practical challenges of the competition. Broadcaster Anita Rani and her father Bal reached the checkpoint first, earning a head start and missing the cacao ceremony that left others in tears. The remaining teams were warned, “For safety reasons, travel after dark is not allowed on this leg,” as John Hanna, the narrator, explained, “Across this region of Central America, increased trafficking and crime at night means it’s only safe for all teams to travel in daylight.” Anita, reading the message with a nervous laugh, remarked, “We are going into some spicy territory.” The race continues from Guatemala to El Zonte in El Salvador, following an already challenging journey through Mexico and Belize, promising danger, drama, and more emotional moments for contestants and viewers alike (Source: BBC Entertainment, The Guardian).