A brand new reality TV show is coming to our screens this week – and we can already feel it becoming our new obsession.
A mix between Race Across the World, Coach Trip and your nan’s fave feel good series, Worlds Apart will kick off on Channel 4 on Tuesday 7th October. It will see 12 total strangers – six young adults who’ve never travelled solo, and six pensioners who thought their globetrotting days were behind them – put into pairs as they chase clues in an epic treasure hunt around Japan.
With contestants ranging in age from 18 to 80, Worlds Apart brings together a brilliantly mixed bunch – from Gen Z rookies to retirees with stories to tell.
With a cash prize up for grabs, the teams will have to bridge the generational gap and work in sync if they want to be the first to reach the finish line.
As we wait for the series to air, read on for the full line-up of contestants.
Worlds Apart Channel 4 cast
Below is a list of the cast:
Aaron, 18, unemployed from BlackpoolCharlotte, 25, checkout assistant from SwanseaEmma, 18, student from BlackpoolKatie, 21, community support worker from WarringtonLawrence, 24, HR apprentice from LondonTende, 19, student from OxfordBarbara, 80, hospice volunteer from StaffordshireColin, 73, retired plumber from Ashton-under-Lyne Julie, 73, karaoke host from London
Rosie, 68, retired factory worker from LichfieldTony, 69, retired GP from ManchesterVal, 71, retired mental health nurse from Newport Worlds Apart Channel 4 teamsAaron and ValCharlotte and ColinEmma and TonyTende and JulieKatie and BarbaraLawrence and Rosie
For more on the cast keep scrolling…
Aaron
Channel 4
Age: 18
Occupation: Unemployed
From: Blackpool
Paired with: Val
Funny and resilient Aaron, 18, has faced tough challenges, including time in care and reconnecting with his biological parents. Known as the class clown among his close group of friends, he stays optimistic about the future and dreams of joining the army or working in construction. Eager for new experiences in Japan (though unsure about raw fish), he hopes to win the prize money to get a flat, learn to drive, and go on a lads’ holiday.
He says: “I’ve only been abroad once and that was to Spain, with my mum.”
Our verdict: With his quick wit, resilience, and open mind, Aaron is sure to bring energy and optimism to the new channel 4 series.
Charlotte – Most likely to win
Channel 4
Age: 25
Occupation: Checkout assistant
From: Swansea
Paired with: Colin
Charlotte is a bubbly, chatty supermarket worker with a big personality and an even bigger heart. Coming from a lively household full of siblings and pets (including four hairless guinea pigs), she dreams of becoming a zookeeper and one day owning a family of Persian cats named after Gavin & Stacey characters. If she wins, she plans to use the prize money to buy her mum an electric wheelchair.
She says: “I work on the checkouts; it’s not the best job in the world but it pays the bills… I have barely seen outside of Swansea – I was almost born in my house!”
Our verdict: I think Charlotte will be able to charm viewers and her partner alike. She’s also used to working at the checkout, which we all know can be pretty fast-paced, so this is likely to come in handy wile racing around Japan trying to find clues.
Emma
Channel 4
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
From: Blackpool
Paired with: Tony
Emma is a passionate musical theatre lover with a big voice and even bigger dreams. Growing up in and out of foster care, she took on early responsibility for her siblings, turning to songwriting to express herself. After college trips to Orlando and New York, she’s excited to travel independently for the first time. If she wins, she hopes to use the prize money to record her own music and inspire her family.
“I was in care from 8 years old … being in care has definitely held me back for travelling ’cause you have got to go through so many people just to go anywhere,” she says.
Our verdict: Emma has done some travelling before, which could put her at an advantage.
Katie
Channel 4
Age: 21
Occupation: Community support worker
From: Warrington
Paired with: Barbara
Katie, a resilient community support worker, has faced many challenges in her life, including being diagnosed with autism, family struggles, and homelessness at 16. Passionate about helping others, she hopes to become a social worker and volunteer abroad. With dreams of travel, a home with a garden, and starting a family, winning the competition would be her first step toward a fresh start.
She says: “I have never been on holiday before. I grew up without much money and have enough to just get by… winning the money would change my life”
Our verdict: While she’s never been abroad, Katie’s faced more challenges than most, which could make her a powerful contender on Worlds Apart.
Related StoriesLawrence
Channel 4
Age: 24
Occupation: HR apprentice
From: London
Paired with: Rosie
Lawrence, who grew up in care, turned his life around after a tough start and recently completed a three-year HR apprenticeship. A passionate skateboarder and hip hop artist, he uses music to share his story and inspire others. Eager to start exploring the world himself, he hopes to use the prize money to support youth services and build a recording studio.
He says: “I was a troublesome kid and got in with a bad crowd… I ducked out of school a lot but the world has an abundance of knowledge and I want to make up for lost time.”
Our verdict: Lawrence’s resilience and people skills should serve him well on Worlds Apart.
Tende
Channel 4
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
From: Oxford
Paired with: Julie
Adopted from Uganda as a baby and raised in a small village near Oxford, Tende channels his experiences with identity and loss into storytelling, music, and viral social media content. He’s travelled with family and studied in Canada, but never gone abroad solo. If he wins, he hopes to give back to his mum – unless Beyoncé or Taylor Swift tickets drop first.
He says: “I have never travelled this far without my family. I thought something like this could be an amazing opportunity to get the chance to try and do things by myself and for myself.”
Our verdict: Tende’s creativity and self-awareness could make him a strong player on Worlds Apart, as he steps out of his comfort zone to take on the adventure.
Barbara
Channel 4
Age: 80
Occupation: Hospice volunteer
From: Staffordshire
Paired with: Katie
Known for her warm heart and infectious laugh, Barbara developed a love for travel through her adventurous parents. Widowed after 47 years, she now volunteers at a hospice and is determined to keep living fully. Having once hosted Japanese students, she feels a special bond with the country. If she wins, she hopes to treat her whole family to their first holiday together.
“Since my husband died, my children have said to me ‘why don’t you try travelling solo’ but the thing that I miss is when I come back there is no one there at home to tell, you know where I’ve been, what I’ve done,” she says.
Our verdict: Barbara is set to bring heart and humour to Worlds Apart. This journey through Japan could be the start of a new chapter she finally gets to share. Plus she has a unique connection to the country, which could come in handy.
Colin – Most likely to win
Channel 4
Age: 73
Occupation: Retired plumber
From: Ashton-under-Lyne
Paired with: Charlotte
Colin, 73, has held diverse jobs before retiring as a plumber. He’s been married to his wife Sharon since 2005. The loss of his son Jason, who inspired him with his adventurous spirit, has motivated Colin to embrace new experiences. A passionate traveller since his first trip to Mallorca, Colin sees visiting Japan (one of Jason’s destinations) as meaningful. If he wins, he hopes to travel more with Sharon.
He says: “I would describe myself as someone who doesn’t sit around waiting for things to happen. If I see an opportunity, I’ll grab it.”
Our verdict: With his can-do attitude and adventurous spirit, Colin is likely to throw himself into Worlds Apart, embracing every challenge as a chance to honour his son and make new memories with his wife. As the show has a personal meaning for Colin, we reckon he’s going to give it his all.
Julie
Channel 4
Age: 73
Occupation: Karaoke host
From: London
Paired with: Tende
Julie, known as “Jiving Julie”, is a beloved karaoke host in Soho who has raised thousands for charity. A former vet nurse and dog groomer, she’s also an adventurous traveller and devoted full-time carer to her husband Harry, who suffered a stroke. If she wins, she hopes the prize will ease Harry’s care, but she’s mainly in it for the experience and fun.
She says: “You don’t need a lot money to have a good life… I chose travel and adventure over having children but since my husband had a stroke 8 years ago I’ve had to stay home.”
Our verdict: Full of energy and heart, Julie is sure to bring fun and spirit to Worlds Apart. We can see her and her partner getting on like a house on fire. If they can connect, they’re halfway to the finish line in our opinion.
Rosie
Channel 4
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired factory worker
From: Lichfield
Paired wit: Lawrence
Rosie, known as the “coupon queen”, has embraced solo travel after losing her fourth husband. Since then she’s been exploring affordable trips across Asia, Europe, and beyond. Once living abroad running a sailboat charter, she now travels solo to connect with others and rebuild confidence. If she wins, she plans to fund a family trip and buy new varifocals.
She says: “I travel because I’m lonely and I love to chat to people … if I didn’t travel, I could be sat alone in my bungalow for 2 weeks at a time and speak to no one.”
Our verdict: Rosie’s people skills could come in handy on the Channel 4 show. She also loves an adventure, and Worlds Apart is all about that.
Tony
Channel 4
Age: 69
Occupation: Retired GP
From: Manchester
Paired with: Emma
Tony spent his career improving family care in the NHS and helped develop England’s Electronic Prescription Service. In his 60s, he came out as gay after 40 years of marriage, receiving strong support from family and friends. Active in LGBTQ+ groups, Tony embraces new connections despite challenges. If he wins, he plans to share the prize with his family and support homelessness charities in Manchester.
He says: “I don’t know what 70 is meant to feel like, but I don’t feel like it … I think it’s easy for younger people to think you’re past it and just winding down to fall off the perch.”
Our verdict: Tony is young at heart, which could see him and his younger partner bond instantly. He likes getting to know people and seems eager to continue learning as he gets older, which will help him in the game.
Val
Channel 4
Age: 71
Job: Retired mental health nurse
From: Newport
Paired with: Aaron
Val moved from Jamaica to the UK just before age 12 and built a 34-year career in mental health nursing, pioneering home treatment teams. After losing her partner Rupert to cancer in 2024, she’s focused on embracing life with optimism. Proud of her blended British-Caribbean heritage, Val loves yoga, jewellery making, and travel. If she wins, she plans to use the prize to rent a villa in Jamaica for a family reunion.
She says: “This trip for me is a godsend because since losing my husband I have been down emotionally, and this could put a little bit of my grief on hold for a short time.”
Our verdict: Val’s resilience and positive spirit shine through. As a former mental health nurse, she’ll be able to read others and hopefully connect with her partner on a deeper level.
Worlds Apart starts on Channel 4 on Tuesday 7th October at 9:15pm.
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