Race Across The World viewers in tears as James breaks down and asks the cameraman for a hug after his ‘brave’ sister discussed her health battle which left her ‘without a womb’

Race Across The World viewers have declared an emotional scene on this week’s show to be the ‘the most moving TV moment of the year’.

During Wednesday night’s episode, contestant James broke down after his ‘brave’ sister Betty opened up about her health battle which left her ‘without a womb’.

Betty, 25, discussed her condition, known as MRKH, and revealed to viewers she discovered age 16 she did not have a uterus, womb and only has one kidney.

MRKH is a rare congenital disorder that affects the female reproductive system and is characterised by an underdeveloped vagina and uterus.

Betty and James, 21, who admitted they weren’t that close before appearing on the show together, have bonded while travelling across Eastern Asia.

Betty and James, 21, who admitted they weren’t that close before appearing on the show together, have bonded while travelling across Eastern Asia

During Wednesday night’s episode, contestant James broke down after his ‘brave’ sister Betty opened up about her health battle which left her ‘without a womb’ (pictured Betty)

During a particularly candid conversation, Betty confided in James about how living with MRKH has affected her and the way she sees the world.

Speaking to the camera after their conversation, James broke down and asked the cameraman for a hug as he admitted he had no idea his sister felt that way.

The siblings, who are among the group competing for a £20,000 prize, were on the penultimate leg of the race, travelling from Bukittinggi to Jakarta.

They suffered a nightmare bus journey before arriving in Muara Enim in South Sumatra, where their bad luck only continued as they left their travel documents on the bus and suffered a burst tyre in their taxi. 

Revealing his frustration at the situation, James said: ‘We’ve not showered, we’ve not eaten, we’re hot and sweaty. Everything is just adding up.’

As they take up a job in a family-run restaurant, he says: ‘It’s not been for me this whole Sumatra leg. Maybe because it’s outside our control it sometimes gets a little bit more frustrating. I just feel like I’m mentally not properly in it anymore.’

Recognising the shift in her brother, Betty says: ‘I could feel James getting really frustrated today…The tables have definitely turned in that aspect because usually, it’s me moaning and him being like ‘live in the moment and find a positive!’

The brother and sister discuss their journey so far and reflect on how it has made them closer and able to open up to each other more. 

Betty, 25, discussed her condition, known as MRKH, and revealed to viewers she discovered age 16 she did not have a uterus, womb and only has one kidney

They suffered a nightmare bus journey before arriving in Muara Enim in South Sumatra, where their bad luck only continued as they left their travel documents on the bus and suffered a burst tyre in their taxi

Revealing his frustration at the situation, James said: ‘We’ve not showered, we’ve not eaten, we’re hot and sweaty. Everything is just adding up’

James said: ‘And it helps, quite a lot and now we could easily pick up the phone to one another and talk about whatever.’

Betty then opened up about her health battle and how it has made her feel negative about her body and life in general.

Breaking down in tears, she said: ‘My frustrations and down moments come periodically, I want to be resilient and brave and whatever, but my condition I do believe has made me have this mindset of being negative and not really liking the person I am.’

S‌he continued: ‘It means that I don’t have a uterus, I don’t have a womb and I only have one kidney as well.’

‘I think as a young woman, you’re told you’re going to marry, you’re going to have a family, and from a young age when that’s taken away from you, it does put doubts in your mind. Doubts in your purpose as a person, I suppose.’

After offering Betty some comfort and rubbing her knee, James said: ‘It’s okay, you know, honestly I forget that you can’t have children.’

She replied: ‘Me and you have never even had a conversation about it have we? It’s definitely made me develop, I think, a lot of the negative attributes that I have like overthinking and wanting to feel in control, because I just feel like at 16 something was taken away from me that I couldn’t control.’

‘So, when you’ve been saying “everything happens for a reason,” I can’t believe that.’

The brother and sister discuss their journey so far and reflect on how it has made them closer and able to open up to each other more

James said: ‘And it helps, quite a lot and now we could easily pick up the phone to one another and talk about whatever’

Betty then opened up about her health battle and how it has made her feel negative about her body and life in general

Later speaking to the camera, he fought back tears and said: ‘To hear that was tough. It was the first time we’ve talked about it, and I have heard it from Betty herself and it’s only now that I realise how much it does affect her and… Excuse me, there’s a frog in my throat’

‘Unable to stop the tears, he said: ‘Brave is now probably an understatement, I’ll have to think of a new word for her’, before saying ‘can someone just come and hug me please?’

He replied: ‘Yes, that makes more sense now. I get that my philosophy is ‘everything happens for a reason’, but to you, obviously not. And that being positive is not always the best way to deal with things.’

Later speaking to the camera, he fought back tears and said: ‘To hear that was tough. It was the first time we’ve talked about it, and I have heard it from Betty herself and it’s only now that I realise how much it does affect her and… Excuse me, there’s a frog in my throat.’

‘Unable to stop the tears, he said: ‘Brave is now probably an understatement, I’ll have to think of a new word for her’, before saying ‘can someone just come and hug me please?’

Viewers were incredibly touched by the moment and shared their thoughts on X after watching the episode.

They said: ‘Omg Betty and James each week make me love them even more, as if I was their parent. Bizarre to say I know. They are fun, the loveliest, kindest, strongest siblings. Emotionally there for each other… I hope they win this’;

‘This will be the most moving TV moment of the year I feel’; ‘This had me sobbing’; ‘How brave of Betty to tell everyone about her health. Oh and James asking the cameraman for a hug’; 

‘Can someone just come and hug me please [crying emojis] James and Betty are my winners’.

Viewers were incredibly touched by the moment and shared their thoughts on X after watching the episode

WHAT IS MAYER ROKITANSKY KUSTER HAUSER?

Rokitansky Syndrome, or MRKH (Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser), is a congenital abnormality characterised by the absence of the vagina, womb and cervix.

Women suffering from the condition will have normally functioning ovaries, so will experience the normal signs of puberty – but will not have periods or be able to conceive.

The external genatalia are completely normal which is why MRKH isn’t usually discovered until women are in their teenage years.

Rokitansky Syndrome, or MRKH (Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser), is a congenital abnormality characterised by the absence of the vagina, womb and cervix

Many women are able to create a vaginal canal using dilation treatment, which uses cylinder shaped dilators of different sizes to stretch the muscles.

However, if this is unsuccessful then surgery will be used to stretch the vaginal canal.

Following treatment women are able to have intercourse and can have their eggs removed and fertilised to be used in surrogacy. However, those without ovaries won’t ever be able to have children because they don’t produce any eggs.

It affects one in 5,000 live female births, according to an 1985 article in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 

Source: Centre for Disorders of Reproductive Development & Adolescent