BBC axes Celebrity Race Across The World launch just hours before show debut
THE BBC has axed Celebrity Race Across The World just hours before it was set to debut.
The new series will see Harry Judd, Melanie Blatt, Alex Beresford and Billy Monger race from Morocco to Norway with a loved one.
The programme was set to begin on Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One, but following the devastating earthquake in Morocco, the BBC has taken the decision to postpone the premier.
The 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck just after 11pm local time on Friday near Marrakesh.
It is one of the deadliest disasters the country has seen for over 120 years, with more than 2,000 killed and emergency rescue workers still desperately trying to find people alive in the rubble.
The series is set to begin in Marrakesh, the most north-western country in Africa, and end in Tromsø, Norway, known as the Arctic capital, with the epic journey spanning 24 countries and over 10,000 km.
The BBC is yet to confirm when a new air date for the show will be.
Good Morning Britain‘s Alex, 42, is joined by his dad Noel, while All Saints singer Mel, 48, is with her mum, Helene.
McFly star Harry, 37, is also travelling with his mum, Emma, while British Racing Driver Billy, 24, is competing with his sister, Bonny.
The earthquake struck the villages in the country’s remote High Atlas mountains, with Marrakesh also being shaken.
The shaking lasted several seconds and a 4.9-magnitude aftershock was recorded 19 minutes later.
Last night, Britain’s Foreign Office said it was sending 60 search and rescue specialists, four search dogs and equipment to the scene.
Teams are flying out on two huge RAF transporters provided by the MoD.