Alfie Watts, the 22-year-old winner of Race Across the World, has transitioned from competitive travel to a career in broadcasting and digital content creation, driven by a lifelong aversion to downtime.
Speaking from his home in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Watts described his relentless approach to productivity, noting that he spent 192 days in hotels worldwide last year. His recent itinerary includes trekking through Bosnia, canyoning in Madeira, and a visit to the Great Pyramids of Egypt.
Broadcasting and Professional Growth
Watts has expanded his professional profile as the co-host of The Detour, the official podcast for Race Across the World. Alongside co-presenter Tyler West, Watts discusses the show and its contestants.
This transition into the public eye follows a period of significant personal sacrifice. Watts admitted that his dedication to his career has resulted in some faded friendships and a lack of time for dating.
The Path to Influence
Before appearing on television, Watts maintained a rigorous work schedule to fund his travel ambitions. His daily routine previously included 4:00 a.m. shifts at Sainsbury’s, teaching, and football refereeing, a role he has held since age 14.
He also pursued a career as an air traffic controller through a scheme run by NATS. The earnings from these various roles were reinvested into travel, often with his future teammate, Owen Wood.
Despite his TV success, Watts faced roughly 350 rejections while seeking management for his social media presence. He eventually found success by carving out a niche in affordable travel, providing advice on budget flights and arduous journeys rather than luxury tourism.
To grow his audience, Watts shared videos of himself booking the cheapest available flights at London Luton Airport. His growing viewership eventually allowed him to hire a school friend to assist with filming and editing.
Future Challenges
While his current focus remains on travel and broadcasting, Watts has identified a new goal: appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.
Watts stated that the prospect of mastering a skill under the pressure of millions of viewers is the primary draw, describing the challenge as “addictive” despite admitting he is currently a poor dancer.
Race Across the World: The Detour is available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds every Thursday at 21:00.
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