The Amazing Race

Season 26 SABC3 (*193) 19:30 Reality

There are two certainties about reality racing show The Amazing Race (2001current): backstabbing between the Racers, and host Phil Keoghan waiting at the finish line. Twenty-six seasons in (on SA screens, The Amazing Race is on season 30 in the US) and the 51-yearold is still excited by his job, saying that “it’s amazing how many new twists we are still adding to the game. We have evolved and that keeps us relevant”.

1 The New Zealander almost never made it to the show though – he first auditioned to host reality series Survivor (2000-current) but Jeff Probst was hired and is still there after 36 seasons.

2 He has worked in TV for over 30 years but preferred being behind the cameras in the beginning. “I studied camera work and during my internship I auditioned for a kids show called Spot On. And then it blew up,” he explains.

3 Phil almost died while filming a segment for Spot On – he had a panic attack on a shipwreck dive and had to be pulled to the surface by his dive partner. They came back the next day to finish filming because, as adrenaline junkie Phil says, “You’ve got to get the job done one way or another.”

4 Phil doesn’t just travel and make reality shows for work – in 2011, he and his wife Louise documented their bicycle ride from Los Angeles to New York in their doccie The Ride.

5 He’s obsessed with his fitness and keeps track of his daily workouts – he knows exactly how many push-ups he’s done since he turned 40 – 57 200 (100 a day, every day).

6 Phil only has one tip for Amazing Race stars: “Get a fanny pack and strap it to you. It’s a lifesaver!”