After weeks of rumours swirling around The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity, executive producer Sophia Mogford has spoken publicly for the first time about the scandal that saw one team disqualified early in the competition.
“I will confirm that. And then there was the breach of the production’s code took place very early in the race, and was dealt with promptly. So after that, you’ll see who’s left,” Mogford told Mediaweek.
She added: “You can’t refilm the race, unfortunately. So all of the teams who were there at the starting line are there at the starting line.”
The comments are the first official timeline of events, making it clear that while a contestant was sent home after a code of conduct breach, the race itself kicked off with the full line-up intact.
How Network 10 managed the fallout
Mogford emphasised that while the incident was serious, production acted quickly to uphold both duty of care and the integrity of the format.
“The Amazing Race is about what’s happening on camera. It’s about the cultural experiences that people are having and the race that they’re running. And it’s a very experienced team who look after it. And so any breach of conduct is taken very seriously,” she stressed.
According to The Herald Sun, tensions flared after some contestants had already turned in for the night, with Dan Middleton – brother of Ant – allegedly shouting at another team.
Former AFL player turned radio broadcaster Brendan Fevola then intervened, reportedly telling producers he would quit unless the offender was removed from the competition. There’s no suggestion Ant Middleton was involved.
At the time, Network 10 stressed its commitment to the “health, safety and wellbeing of all contestants”, confirming a team had been removed.
Ant Middleton and his brother Dan.
Behind the scenes
While headlines have focused on the code of conduct breach, Mogford is keen to remind people just how vast and intricate show show really is.
The numbers alone are staggering: more than 100 crew members moving constantly across countries, operating on what she calls a “flip-flop system.” One team runs ahead to prepare each challenge, another trails behind to manage cultural sensitivities and clean-up, ensuring the show leaves a positive footprint.
“The movement order for Amazing Race is like a jigsaw puzzle on steroids,” Mogford said, adding that planning starts months before cameras roll.
Casting the right mix
Mogford says the casting process is as strategic as the route design.
There are always celebrities eager to sign up, but producers also look for quieter figures who bring balance and surprise to the line-up.
“You’re looking at the people who are ‘pick me, pick me’ and then you’re looking at the people who have considered it, or you hear whispers they might be interested. Sometimes they’re the ones who bring that special sauce,” she explained.
She adds that those who guard their private lives often end up being drawn to the challenge precisely because of its rawness. “It’s a real show. You get to do all the things. It’s not fabricated. It pushes you mentally and physically and puts you in insane places you’d never otherwise go. That’s what makes it life-changing.”
Respecting culture on the run
Mogford says months of planning go into each season before the first clue envelope is ever opened.
Locations are scouted in advance, creative challenges are mapped out, and local teams are engaged to ensure the show respects cultural sensitivities.
“This year, I think we’ve outdone ourselves on the locations,” she said, noting that while it looks seamless for contestants, behind the scenes there’s a hive of activity to make it safe, creative and respectful.
That responsibility, she added, requires a certain type of crew.
“You have to have a passion for the project and for travel and also a sensitivity to the cultural areas that we go through, because there are lots of different beliefs that we come across and lots of different environmental areas that we need to be considerate of.”
Paramount executive producer Sophia Mogford.
Branding opportunities
Mogford said integration has grown stronger in recent years, spanning finance, health, lifestyle and drinks categories.
For her, the key is transparency: “Audiences are a lot smarter to integration. Sometimes it’s absolutely fine if you do it front and centre, because they understand that’s what’s happening.”
She believes The Amazing Race is uniquely suited to partnerships because its authenticity translates to screen.
“We’ve had cars, and audiences know that’s a packed shot of a car. They’re not stupid. And then they see the celebs drive off in it,” Mogford said.
That honesty, she added, is why clients enjoy coming on board – and why the race continues to deliver value well beyond the finish line.
This year’s celebrity racers include:
Ant Middleton & brother Dan – the former SAS host and his sibling
Brendan Fevola & daughter Leni – AFL great and family duo
Melissa Leong & Leah Wilson – the ex-MasterChef judge and best friend
Ed Kavalee & Tiffiny Hall – comedian meets fitness trainer couple
Gretel Killeen & daughter Epiphany Mason – iconic TV host and her daughter
Rob Mills & Georgie Tunny – performer and broadcaster pair
Bronte Campbell & Benfield Lainchbury – Olympic champion power couple
Lindy & Stella Klim – fashion personality and her daughter
Dom “Tomato” Di Tommaso & Marx Marsters – parkour athlete and mate
Steph & Ben Tisdell – comedian siblings
Stephen & Bernard Curry – actor brothers with comic timing
Aesha Scott & Scott Dobson – Below Deck star and partner
Luke & “Sassy” Scott O’Halloran – viral TikTok brothers
The celebrity edition also marks the franchise’s first visit to Uzbekistan, alongside locations such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Java.