Race Across The World's Betty admits 'she finally feels free' (2024)

Race Across The World star Betty broke viewers hearts as she discussed her life-changing health battle that left her 'without a womb' on the showlast month.

And after 51 days on the road travelling with her brother James, 21, Betty admitted on Wednesday's Loose Women that she 'finally feels free', thanks to her stint on the life-changing programme.

On the BBC show, Betty had viewers chocking back tears as she opened up about her condition, known as MRKH, that she discovered age 16.

Betty was born without a uterus or womb and only has one kidney, meaning she will never be able to have children.

MRKH is arare congenital disorder that affects the female reproductive system and is characterised by an underdeveloped vagin* and uterus.

The 25-year-old star teared up as she spoke to panelists Christine Lampard, Ayda Field, Nadia Sawalha and Denise Welch and admitted she 'finally feels like she belongs'.

Betty said: 'Everything you see on screen is exactly how that conversation would have gone. The producers were like we're not going to be producing this, just have that conversation naturally and we just sat and chatted didn't we.

'When I got diagnosed, James was 11. MRKH means I was born without a uterus and I only have one kidney as well.

'And you know, your little brother doesn't really need to know about that when he's little and it's just not the conversation that comes up naturally at home so it was a difficult conversation to have.'

Starting to get teary-eyed, Betty added: 'I feel like for the first time I'm like free and that I finally belong where I am.'

James said: 'Everything you see on the show is raw, natural and that was just how I felt at the time. That raw emotion, it just came out at the time and kudos to that camera man who actually stepped in at the time and gave me a hug.

'My moto growing up was everything happens for a reason but obviously it can't sort of see that.

'So having that conversation opened up more doors to conversations that we've now had and been able to understand each other a bit more as adults, rather than be forced to as kids.'

Betty and James, who lived off roughly '£27-a-day' for almost two months, said they couldn't imagine doing the experience with anybody else, when asked if they had any regrets.

'Well, the truth is, we have an older brother and he was in Canada so he was unavailable. So this [James] is the next best thing', Betty joked.

She added: 'I think once you've done something like that with someone, you cannot imagine doing it with someone else. We were together 24/7.'

After her emotional episode aired last month,Race Across The World viewers declared the emotional scene to be the 'the most moving TV moment of the year'.

Betty and James, who admitted they weren't that close before appearing on the show together, have bonded while travelling across Eastern Asia.

During a particularly candid conversation, Betty confided in James about how living with MRKH has affected her and the way she sees the world.

Speaking to the camera after their conversation, James broke down and asked the cameraman for a hug as he admitted he had no idea his sister felt that way.

The siblings, who are among the group competing for a £20,000 prize, were on the penultimate leg of the race, travelling from Bukittinggi to Jakarta.

They suffered a nightmare bus journey before arriving inMuara Enim in South Sumatra, where their bad luck only continued as they left their travel documents on the bus and suffered a burst tyre in their taxi.

Revealing his frustration at the situation, James said: 'We've not showered, we've not eaten, we're hot and sweaty. Everything is just adding up.'

As they take up a job in a family-run restaurant, he said: 'It's not been for me this whole Sumatra leg. Maybe because it's outside our control it sometimes gets a little bit more frustrating. I just feel like I'm mentally not properly in it anymore.'

Recognising the shift in her brother, Betty said: 'I could feel James getting really frustrated today…The tables have definitely turned in that aspect because usually, it's me moaning and him being like 'live in the moment and find a positive!'

The brother and sister discuss their journey so far and reflect on how it has made them closer and able to open up to each other more.

James said: 'And it helps, quite a lot and now we could easily pick up the phone to one another and talk about whatever.'

Betty then opened up about her health battle and how it has made her feel negative about her body and life in general.

Breaking down in tears, she said: 'My frustrations and down moments come periodically, I want to be resilient and brave and whatever, but my condition I do believe has made me have this mindset of being negative and not really liking the person I am.'

S‌he continued: 'It means that I don't have a uterus, I don't have a womb and I only have one kidney as well.'

'I think as a young woman, you're told you're going to marry, you're going to have a family, and from a young age when that's taken away from you, it does put doubts in your mind. Doubts in your purpose as a person, I suppose.'

After offering Betty some comfort and rubbing her knee, James said: 'It's okay, you know, honestly I forget that you can't have children.'

She replied: 'Me and you have never even had a conversation about it have we? It's definitely made me develop, I think, a lot of the negative attributes that I have like overthinking and wanting to feel in control, because I just feel like at 16 something was taken away from me that I couldn't control.'

'So, when you've been saying "everything happens for a reason," I can't believe that.'

He replied: 'Yes, that makes more sense now. I get that my philosophy is 'everything happens for a reason', but to you, obviously not. And that being positive is not always the best way to deal with things.'

Later speaking to the camera, he fought back tears and said: 'To hear that was tough. It was the first time we've talked about it, and I have heard it from Betty herself and it's only now that I realise how much it does affect her and… Excuse me, there's a frog in my throat.'

'Unable to stop the tears, he said: 'Brave is now probably an understatement, I'll have to think of a new word for her', before saying 'can someone just come and hug me please?'

Viewers were incredibly touched by the moment and shared their thoughts on X after watching the episode.

They said: 'Omg Betty and James each week make me love them even more, as if I was their parent. Bizarre to say I know. They are fun, the loveliest, kindest, strongest siblings. Emotionally there for each other... I hope they win this';

'This will be the most moving TV moment of the year I feel'; 'This had me sobbing'; 'How brave of Betty to tell everyone about her health. Oh and James asking the cameraman for a hug';

'Can someone just come and hug me please [crying emojis] James and Betty are my winners'.