Race Across the World pals Jo and Kush on fame, friendship and family

If you've been hooked on the latest series of Race Across the World, you've probably got a favourite pair of contestants.

Best friends Kush Burman and Jo Diop have certainly won the hearts of many viewers, eager to see them complete their journey to northern Mongolia.

But all of their friends? Not so much.

"All my mates' mums, they're loving it more than my mates are," says 20-year-old Kush.

"Half my mates, they're like: 'I can't lie, I've still got to catch up on the past few episodes, but I'm loving it so far'."

The BBC show challenges pairs of travellers to complete a 12,000km (7,450 mile) trek across Europe and Asia with no phones and limited cash.

Finish first, and they grab a £20,000 prize.

Likeable Liverpool lads Jo and Kush won't reveal who wins the final leg, but say we should expect a "high stress, very tense" episode.

"Expect nothing, have no expectations," Kush says. "It's a wild place, Mongolia."

"It really is, there's no roads," says Jo, 19. "You might as well just not have the maps."

So far we've seen Jo and Kush unwinding during the race by playing basketball or enjoying an evening of Mongolian throat singing.

But a trip to a judo gym in Kazakhstan led to a more emotional moment for Kush, as it brought back memories of his stepdad, Matt.

Viewers saw Kush in tears as he explained he was just 14 when Matt took his own life during lockdown.

In one emotional moment, he says: "I really wish I could show him who I am now."

Kush tells BBC Newsbeat watching the scene back next to his family was tough.

"Usually when we talk about my dad it's in a more light-hearted context of, like, 'do you remember this?'," he says.

"But when it's talking about the feelings and emotions behind it, it can be quite tough.

"But the response from the public's been so heart-warming.

"And the feedback I've got for something that was quite tough to do and quite exposing, it's really settled any sort of feelings of nervousness around it."

Kush says many people who've experienced something similar have reached out to him, which "means a lot".

"It's been such a big influx of messages and comments, but if I could say thank you to everyone, then this is my thank-you."

'Don't do anything for anyone else'

Kush says having Jo with him at such a vulnerable moment helped him to get through it.

The pair's close relationship is part of what's made them a hit with viewers, and during Newsbeat's interview, Kush turns to Jo and says his friend has been there "for every major event that's happened".

"I think you know best than anyone what I need to hear... and that definitely helps when I'm talking about these situations because you know what to say."

Jo agrees, and says the pair have always "been in each other's lives".

"So we've both seen each other in our lowest states and I think when them times arise in the race, it's not a surprise for us.

"I feel like we know from experience of how to bounce back and how to counter each other's negativity in a way."

But, whatever the pair do next, they're going to have to contend with people recognising them - not that their new-found fame seems to worry them.

"I love it so much," Kush says.

"Yesterday we signed our first autographs, which I thought was so sweet."

Jo says they were at a basketball game when three boys called over: "Yo, Jo and Kush, can you sign us?"

"And we were like 'are you serious'? They were like 'yeah' and handed us a pen," says Kush.

The pair say they'd definitely split the £20,000 prize equally if they won and already have their sights set on some more travelling.

"We'd have to spend a little bit on ourselves," Jo says.

"I'd probably get a nice pair of Jordan 4s for a new outfit and a nice little holiday, and stash the rest."

But true to their family values, he also plans to "contribute to a future house for my mum at some point".

Kush agrees, saying he's planning a few more gap years and has learnt a lot from his Race Across the World experience.

"There is no rush, don't do anything for anyone else," he says.

"If you want to go travelling, do it. If you don't, that's also fine.

"Just make sure you're not just doing things for the sake of it and you actually enjoy what you're doing."

You can watch the Race Across the World finale on BBC One at 20:00 BST on Thursday 21 May and on iPlayer.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.