Celebrity Race Across the World spoilers follow.
Celebrity Race Across the World star Mel Blatt has revealed the meaning behind her trip through France seen on tonight's (October 4) episode.
The latest instalment featured the celebrities racing to Zermatt, frustrated by train cancellations as budgets were stretched thin. After departing Corsica, Mel and her mum Helene opted through the south of France, using their language skills and connections to save money.
During their time in the country, Mel and Helene discussed the decision to relocate to France when Mel was a teenager in order to get her vital treatment for scoliosis.
"I definitely feel some sort of attachment to France," Mel said as she and her mum took time to enjoy Nice. "As a kid, I wanted to leave so quickly, but actually, it is in my blood."
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Helene also reflected on the decision to relocate, explaining that Mel had "hated" leaving her friends in London. The pair then discussed the All Saints star's scoliosis diagnosis and the treatment she was able to receive in France.
"She had a really badly twisted spine, and the hospital informed us that if we didn't put her in a brace, she would probably be paralysed by the age of 21," Helene explained.
"So we left England, sold everything and went to France for the operation," she added, explaining that Mel was able to get pioneering surgery in France.
"You just do what you have to do for your kids, I get it," Mel replied. "You're a really good mum."
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Later in the episode, the leg of the race ended with a tense dash through the streets of picturesque Zermatt, seeing Good Morning Britain's Alex Beresford and dad Noel put themselves back in the race after leaving Corsica 26 hours behind the other teams.
"It was such a great team effort by us," Alex said after coming second behind McFly's Harry Judd and mum Emma.
Racing driver Billy Monger and sister Bonny were third, while Mel and Helene finished the leg in last place.
Celebrity Race Across The World airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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Brenna Cooper is a freelance journalist, who currently specialises in entertainment reporting. She joined Digital Spy in 2022, writing TV and movies stories for the site. After graduating with an NCTJ accredited Journalism Masters from the University of Sheffield in 2020 she has since embarked on a freelance career.
Brenna previously produced lifestyle content for Checklists.co.uk and has a specific interest in music, reviewing live acts and interviewing bands such as Confidence Man and Amyl and the Sniffers.
