Tearful Celeb Race Across The World star shares how husband was killed

Celebrity Race Across The World star Jackie Llewellyn had fans in tears as she recalled how her husband was killed days before her son’s birth.

The latest episode of the BBC show saw Jackie and Derry Girls actor son Dylan heading to Colombia for their next checkpoints.

As the pair swam in a Panama waterfall, Jackie opened up about her story to the cameras.

She said: ‘When I’m in nature, I feel like I’m close to heaven or something. I think through losses I have, I feel closer to them when I’m in those moments of serenity and beauty.’

Jackie continued by explaining how she tragically lost her first husband, who she had met aged 22, while pregnant with her first son James.

Reflecting on when she received the devastating news, Jackie said: ‘I was due to have James on December 19 and on the 21st, there was a knock at the door and those two fluorescent jackets.

‘They said, “We just want to let you know that your husband has been knocked over by a car and killed instantly.”‘

She added: ‘I had James and I found it very difficult on my own. I eventually got my act together and got on in life and coped.’

Jackie subsequently met and married her second husband Barry, with whom she shares Dylan and third son Cameron.

It followed Dylan having opened up earlier in the series about losing older brother James to suicide aged just 20.

He shared at the time: ‘My eldest brother James, he took his life when he was 20. I was 16. It just hit us all hard, so hard,’ he said.

‘Doing this race is like doing it for my brother and my mum. He would have loved to do something like this. I think she’d like to have that kind of journey with a son.’

Meanwhile, Jackie added in the latest episode: ‘I had three little boys under three. It was absolute chaos.’

She continued: ‘Losing two people very close in my life definitely has changed me as a person.

‘When James had gone I’d internalised trying to be brave and put on a brave face for the boys. 

‘It took me a while to be strong again, but I’ve had to be strong as a mother to my boys.’

Viewers watching at home were very moved by Jackie’s story and shared their reactions on social media.

Taking to X, one viewer wrote: ‘I love Dylan and his Mother so much. It has been so moving hearing their story. 

‘They are both such lovely gentle souls. It has been a privilege to watch them in #celebrityraceacrosstheworld.’

Another added: ‘Poor woman. How strong do you have to be to deal with that?’

A third commented: ‘I can’t deal with how much trauma and heartbreak Dylan’s Mum has been through’, adding four crying emojis and four heart emojis.

While a fourth remarked: ‘Dylan’s Mum had been thru so much heartbreak. They are genuinely lovely people who deserve to do well.’ 

Elsewhere, Celebrity Race Across The World viewers were very surprised to learn Dylan’s age.

In recent years, he has played prominent secondary school and university-aged roles in Derry Girls and Big Boys, respectively.

Therefore, many fans were amazed to learn the actor is 33 years of age in real life.

Taking to X, one viewer wrote: ‘Dylan’s 33. Thought he was a young pup.’

Another agreed: ‘Dylan is 33? I thought he was like 17.’

A third shared: ‘How is Dylan 33.’ 

Celebrity Race Across The World airs Thursdays on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.