Race Across the World: Margo and Mark's journey from estrangement to red carpet triumph

When Margo Oakley and her brother-in-law Mark Blythen stepped onto the red carpet at the National Television Awards on Tuesday, it marked the culmination of a year that transformed their relationship. The pair, who spent decades barely speaking, have become unlikely stars of the BBC's Race Across the World, captivating audiences with a story of reconciliation rooted in shared grief.

How did Margo and Mark go from hostility to friendship?

For nearly 40 years, Margo, 60, from Childwall, and Mark kept their distance. It took the illness and death of Julia, Mark's wife and Margo's sister, to force a change. Julia, who died in 2022 from a rare blood cancer called myelofibrosis, left a final wish: that the two would remain close.

That wish led Margo to ask Mark to join her on Race Across the World. He said yes immediately. Their journey, filmed over the past year, became a testament to the possibility of mending broken bonds.

What did Margo and Mark say at the NTAs?

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo at the ceremony, Margo described the experience as a whirlwind.

“The reception we had about our story, people have been telling us they laughed and then they cried with us. We just feel like everyone has become a part of our story and tonight just tops it off,”

she said.

Mark added that Julia would have been thrilled by their red carpet appearance.

“Julia would be absolutely beside herself, she'd love it, she loved things like this. Hopefully she's looking down on us thinking: 'Good on you two, you've done it, you've achieved it',”

he told the Echo.

Margo echoed that sentiment, noting Julia would have enjoyed the celebratory drinks likely to follow.

What was the reception to their story?

The public response has been overwhelmingly positive. Mark noted,

“People have been so fantastic, so positive about the race and about our story.”

Margo, whose bubbly Scouse charm contrasted with Mark's more reserved demeanor, said she is proud to represent Liverpool.

She also revealed a lasting bond with fellow Scousers Kush Burman and Jo Diop, who won the series.

“I'm so proud to represent Liverpool, it's the best city. Me, Jo and Kush, we really felt we wanted to do Liverpool proud and I hope we have,”

she said. The trio have kept in touch, with Margo and Kush often meeting for walks in Sefton Park.

How did Kush and Jo fare as winners?

Kush and Jo, both 19 and from Toxteth, won the series in May. Kush described the experience as surreal, telling the Echo,

“Being able to represent ourselves and hopefully the city in a positive light has been such a privilege.”

Their warmth and open-mindedness helped them charm strangers and secure help along the way, including a memorable moment where they taught a local in Kyrgyzstan the Scouse word boss.

Did Race Across the World win at the NTAs?

Despite the nomination, the show did not win the best entertainment programme category, which went to I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. The category also included The Traitors, making it a competitive field.

What does this story tell us about reconciliation and representation?

Margo and Mark's journey is more than a reality TV narrative. It illustrates how shared loss can bridge even the deepest divides. Their story also highlights the power of regional representation on national platforms, a theme that resonates with audiences beyond Liverpool.

For Namibian readers, the parallels are clear: reconciliation, community pride, and the courage to embrace change are universal values. As Margo put it, “I'm so glad we did it together. We're really good mates now and we have some really good times.”