'We're just two normal kids from Liverpool'

Warning: This article contains spoilers of series six of Race Across the World.

When childhood best friends Kush Burman and Jo Diop sprinted through snow-covered forests to reach the final checkpoint in northern Mongolia, they believed they were in second place.

"I think we both accepted a loss," said 19-year-old Jo, about the moment when they reached the finish line in Hatgal.

"I think the day before, we realised that we'd wasted a lot more time than we assumed.

"We genuinely thought that Andrew and Molly overtook us."

The pair, from Liverpool, were the youngest contestants to be taking part in the latest series of Race Across the World.

The programme sees five teams embark on the journey of a lifetime, racing more than 12,000km (7,450 miles) across Europe and Asia.

But as they opened the guest book at the finish line, they realised their suspicions were ill-founded, winning the race three hours ahead of second place.

"It was literally like a fever dream to actually open that book and to have it empty in it," said 20-year-old Kush.

"It's what we've been manifesting since the start."

They fended off competition from daughter-and-dad duo Molly and Andrew, siblings Harrison and Katie and in-laws Mark and Margo.

Cousins Puja and Roshni had been eliminated earlier in the competition.

Starting in the sun-soaked streets of Palermo in Sicily, the pair had to navigate cultural barriers and public transport disasters without smartphones and bank cards.

By their own admissions, their Scouse background proved to be an invaluable asset.

"You get used to just chatting to strangers when you grow up in somewhere like we did," said Kush, who admits they both wanted to make Liverpool proud.

"What's the saying 'Liverpool's the biggest village in the world' and it is like that.

"So chatting to strangers just came as second nature.

"We had that comfortability and it helped the entire time."

During the series, the pair were candid about their lives back at home and their openness and unwavering support for each other was applauded by many.

A trip to a judo gym in Kazakhstan led to an emotional moment for Kush, as it brought back memories of his stepdad Matt, who took his own life when Kush was just 14 years old.

While watching these scenes back was a difficult moment, he has no regrets about being open about his feelings.

"I guess my favourite bit of feedback is people saying how much they relate to us," said Kush.

"We are just two normal kids from Liverpool.

"People have been reaching out and it means the world to us because it's been quite exposing... to have so much go out into the world.

"But people coming back and sharing their stories and their appreciation for us talking about some of the things we did, it just feels so nice."

The race was filmed six months ago - and the pair had to keep tight-lipped on their success until Thursday evening when the final episode was broadcast.

"At first it was hard but then you get used to living the lie that it didn't happen in a way because you can't tell anyone," said Kush.

"So we kind of forgot about it because it is so long from filming to TX [broadcast].

"But now it's in the open, it feels like such a relief."

The pair will now share a cash prize of £20,000.

"I'm not very good with money myself but I'll spend some on my family of course," said Jo.

"I think the rest for an ISA, it gives us a head start to put the deposit down for the house."

Kush, who is planning to release new music next week, said he also planned to invest the money on his future.

"I will invest into what I enjoy doing to hopefully build a career out of it, like travelling," he said.

"Whatever is left is going straight into a savings account to go on a deposit for a house."

You can catch up on series six of Race Across the World on BBC iPlayer.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.