Race Across the World star Gaz got candid about turning to drinking in the breakdown of his relationship with ex-wife and teammate Yin.
In tonight's episode of the BBC One travel series, the former couple were headed to the second checkpoint of Sanya.
On their way to their destination, the pair thought to save some money by working at a noodle shop in the ancient city of Fenghuang.
As Gaz tried to lure clients in and Yin was on dishwashing duties, the team managed to earn a whopping £8 and get a spicy noodle dish out of their deal.
Reflecting on their past romantic relationship, Gaz told producers that being married to Yin was "amazing" and that them growing apart was what made him drink heavily.
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"I did feel there's security being married because you are a unit, you are… together," he said.
"But the breakdown in the relationship was because I became lazy. I took Yin for granted," he continued. "Even to this day, I blame myself."
Gaz said he struggled with the breakdown of the relationship and that prompted him to drink to "forget".
"What do you do? Oh, let's go down the pub and have six pints of Guinness and forget about it," he said.
"I would drink myself into a stupor because I didn't talk to anyone about it."
Gaz then credited Yin for spotting his dangerous habit and helping him through it.
"One of the big key things with Yin, is she identified that and whilst I was going through my demons and people had given up on me, she never did," he said.
"She could see, you know, what I was doing was not right."
Yin managed to support Gaz while both were there for their daughter, Autumn, with Gaz wanting to "repay" her now he's "in a good place".
"By doing the race, I want to repay her because she was there for me through the dark times," he said.
"And I don't want to let her down. I've let her down too many times in the past. I don't want to do it again."
Later on, the ex-couple had a heart-to-heart, sharing their mixed feelings about missing their daughter's birthday for the first time in 23 years now they're on the show.
"Time has moved on, Autumn has grown up. We both are different people," Yin told producers in an interview with Gaz.
"She understands me and Gaz are going on a different path, living our own lives."
"We still want to be supportive of each other, but me and Gaz want to get back to engaging with life again and start enjoying it again."
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The pair ended up fourth on their way to Sanya, where Typhoon Trami coming in from the South East made it challenging to move around with public transport.
Elizabeth and Letitia were once again in the lead as the first duo to reach the checkpoint, followed by Brian and Melvyn in second position, and Fin and Sioned in third.
Meanwhile, Yin and Gaz, who were still on the mainland, and Tom and Caroline were lagging behind.
"We are literally in the hands of Mother Nature," Yin said as she and Gaz watched the storm raging.
Race Across the World airs on BBC One.
Alcohol Change UK offers information, advice and support with their questions about drinking and the problems that can sometimes be caused by alcohol. For more information, visit Alcohol Change UK's website.
Drinkline also offers free, confidential advice to anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else's drinking on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm).
Readers can also contact Drinkaware.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
