From Globe-Trotting Champ to Podcast Star: Alfie Watts' Nonstop Adventure Life

Alfie Watts, a 22-year-old from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, became well-known after winning the 2024 edition of Race Across the World, a popular TV show where contestants race between countries. Alfie is not someone who enjoys sitting still. He says that the idea of doing nothing actually makes him feel more tired. Last year, he spent 192 days in hotels around the world, which is more than half the year. This year, he has already traveled to see the Great Pyramids in Egypt, gone canyoning in Madeira, and trekked through Bosnia. Alfie’s life is full of adventure, and he rarely spends time at home.

Besides traveling, Alfie has started a new career in broadcasting. He is now the co-host of The Detour, the official BBC podcast about Race Across the World. His busy schedule sometimes makes it difficult for him to keep up with his commitments. For example, he almost missed a podcast recording because his flight from Thailand was oversold, and he had to rush back to the UK. Alfie admits that he does not like downtime. If he is in the office and there is nothing to do, he immediately starts thinking about new projects. He says that he always wants to be productive and that his mind is constantly coming up with ideas.

Alfie’s dedication to his career has come with some sacrifices. Since winning the race, some of his friendships have faded, and he does not have time for dating. However, he is focused on his goals and channels his energy into his work. Alfie’s busy lifestyle is not just because of his TV fame; it is a continuation of the hard-working attitude he had before the show. Before Race Across the World, Alfie worked several jobs. He started his day at 4 a. m. with a shift at Sainsbury’s, then spent the day teaching, and finished by refereeing football matches, a job he has done since he was 14. He was also training to become an air traffic controller. The money he earned was used to fund his travel dreams, and he often took trips with friends like Owen Wood, who later became his teammate on the show.

After the show aired to more than five million viewers, Alfie tried to grow his presence on social media. He faced many rejections from management companies but eventually found his niche by giving practical advice on affordable travel. He made videos showing how to find cheap flights and travel on a budget, which helped him gain more followers. Alfie even hired a school friend to help with filming and editing his content. In 2024, he traveled to Kuala Lumpur with 250 kilograms of football gear to donate to children. His growing popularity led the BBC to invite him to co-host The Detour podcast with Tyler West. Alfie enjoys working with Tyler and jokes that they would make a great team if there was ever an all-star version of Race Across the World.

It has been two years since Alfie and Owen first appeared on BBC One, and Alfie’s life has changed dramatically. He is not sure what the future holds, but he has new goals. He says he would like to try dancing on the show Strictly, even though he is not good at dancing. For Alfie, the challenge is what excites him, not the fame or money. He enjoys pushing himself to learn new skills and see how he performs under pressure. Alfie’s story is an example of how hard work, determination, and a willingness to try new things can lead to exciting opportunities and adventures.