Delight at National TV Awards nod for Race Across The World

Emon and his nephew Jamiul Choudhury were crowned winners of BBC Two travel challenge show Race Across The World that gripped the nation at the start of the first lockdown last year.

They travelled 15,000 miles from Mexico City to Ushuaia in Argentina, the world's most southerly city, without flights, phones, the internet or bank cards.

They defeated four other pairs and took the crown by just 20 seconds.

Now Race Across The World has today been nominated in the longlist for the Challenge Show category at the National Television Awards (NTAs).

It will initially be battling for the online public vote alongside 22 other shows including Masterchef, the Great British Bake-Off and Married At First Sight Australia. The online public vote ends at 11pm on June 4.

This is the second award Emon's show has been nominated for. It is in line for Reality & Constructed Factual prize at The Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards ceremony takes place on June 6 on BBC One.

The NTA ceremony will take place at London's O2 arena in London on September 9, with comedian Joel Dommett on hosting duties for the first time.

Emon and his nephew Jamiul Choudhury

Speaking on the NTA long list nod, Emon, of Saltaire, said: "It feels good to be nominated.

"We're getting recognised for what happened behind the camera and what went into making the show.

"I know how much it means for the show's production team to be nominated for these awards. I'm more chuffed for them than us.

"The show can only get bigger and better. The series we were in created a lot of excitement.

We've got a pretty decent chance. It was a show that was loved by everyone

"It was on during lockdown and before it we took it for granted that we could get on a plane and experience another country.

"It was what dreams are made of and had things that people would love to do.

"We're just normal guys who applied for the show and got lucky and got on."

Emon joked he would next like to appear on fellow nominated show Hunted and Masterchef.

In one of the most touching moments of the popular series they were left visibly shaken when they came across a group of barefoot children sleeping rough in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Emon placed everything he can possibly spare in front of the children, including his beloved playing cards, in the hope of bringing some kind of joy to an otherwise desperate situation.

To vote on the longlists, go to nationaltvawards.com

The full longlist for the NTA for Challenge Show award category is: All That Glitters: Britain's Next Jewellery Star; Love Island; Bake Off: The Professionals; The Great British Bake-off; Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins; Hunted; Love Is Blind; Don't Rock The Boat; Pooch Perfect; Celebrity Best Home Cook; Next in Fashion; Great British Menu; Married At First Sight Australia; Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star; Race Across The World; The Great British Sewing Bee; Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr; Masterchef: The Professionals; The Circle; Masterchef; Too Hot To Handle; The Great Pottery Throw Down; Portrait Artist Of The Week.