The DJ and presenter opened up on the terrifying experience
Tyler West recalled the terrifying memory(Image: BBC)
Celebrity Race Across the World’s Tyler West was brought to tears as he reflected on a horrifying moment he witnessed as a child. A star-studded version of the hit BBC programme returned to screens as a group of famous faces are swapping their luxury lifestyles for an adventure around the world.
The group are over half way through their journey and we’re starting to see more of their personalities shine through. They are taking on one of the most breathtaking routes yet, discovering the Caribbean and Pacific coast of Central America.
Their journey began on the Caribbean island of Isla Mujeres, just off the easternmost point of Mexico. It has challenged the teams to race 5,900km to reach the finish line in the remote PenÃnsula de La Guajira in Colombia – the gateway to South America.
As the latest episode began, the contestants were told it wasn’t possible for the race to continue through Nicaragua. The teams had to fly to Liberia where the race could resume.
Later on, Tyler, who is taking part in the show with fiancée Molly Rainford, opened up on finding it difficult to step outside his comfort zone.
When he was 14, he witnessed a stabbing close to his home which he says has had a “knock-on effect” on his mental health.
He explained his fears of being outside of his comfort zone, linking it to his horrifying childhood memory. He told the cameras: “I was coming home from school one day, and there was like these three men having an argument outside my house.
Tyler expressed his concerns about being outside his comfort zone(Image: BBC)
“One of the two men threw a really weak punch to the man that was on his own, and then one of the men had a 12-inch kitchen knife in his hand.
“All of a sudden, it was like me standing there at my bedroom window at 14 and just seeing this man get like stabbed to death. It was one of the most horrific moments of my life.
“I just remember being there at the Old Bailey, just being petrified of so many factors, like will all these people be able to see me? Will they know that I’m testifying?
“And I just didn’t really know how to process it, and it had such a knock on effect to my mental health. I was indoors for two years. It matured me really quick, and it… it was just really hard.”
Tyler revealed he now likes to stay in control of his own situations. He said: “You feel helpless, and I just don’t want to feel that ever in my life again.”
Tyler and Molly are taking part in this year’s series of Race Across the World. The couple met on Strictly Come Dancing and their romance has gone from strength to strength, getting engaged earlier this year.
Molly is best known for her role as Anna Knight on BBC soap EastEnders. She has also proved her vocal talent as a finalist on the sixth series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2012.
Tyler kickstarted his presenting career appearing on several shows on CBBC and also presents on Kiss FM radio. He met Molly on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 and popped the all-important question on a holiday in Greece earlier this year.
Celebrity Race Across the World airs every Thursday at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer