Perhaps The Amazing Race’s most enticing element, though, is its daydream-inspiring armchair travel; all those lavishly filmed vistas of ancient cities, fragrant spice markets, modern architectural wonders, jungles, deserts and snow-capped mountains. For a world that’s spent the best part of two-and-a-half years in lockdown, the chance to actually use one’s passport seems tantalisingly real.

“It feels like everyone I speak to is booking international trips,” Ali says. “When this show goes to air, that will inspire people even more. My own mother keeps asking me, ‘Should I go overseas or should I just wait?’ She’s in a real predicament but as soon as she sees this season, there’s no question she’ll book a ticket.”

Compared to previous seasons, there’ll be fewer sequences involving backpack-laden contestants sprinting through crowded terminals, not least because some airports denied permission to film. Although producers remain coy about the precise reasons, it’s not hard to imagine why certain airports – still reeling from years of COVID-induced chaos – would prefer not to draw attention to foot-stomping customers trapped in inert queues.

“We had so many different plans in place to deal with COVID and border closures,” Ali says. “We even had to plan for the possibility that we wouldn’t be allowed to be overseas again! Whenever a problem arose, we went on the front foot by telling the audience what was happening. They’re very forgiving when they see us make that kind of effort.”

In a world first for the series, 10 teams of two will start their journey in Melbourne while another 10 teams begin in Sydney – each oblivious to the other’s existence until they meet in a faraway locale. As always, local citizens play a big part in executing the challenges (such as a spice-guessing game in the first episode) and ferrying panicked contestants through clogged motorways and hair-raising intersections.

“There are fans of this show all around the world so wherever we went, we had people willing to help,” Ali says. “After being locked up for two years we wanted to go to places that were colourful and exciting and inspiring; places like Belize, Turkey, Greece, Colombia, Mexico and Morocco, which is my new favourite place.”

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While a growing number of reality shows try to recruit beyond the stereotypically fair-skinned, hard-bodied contestants of yore, Ali says The Amazing Race is “spoiled for choice when it comes to casting”.

“There’s something about this show that really attracts people from diverse backgrounds,” he says. “It’s one of the main reasons people tune in; they’re just captivated by these amazing stories of people from all different backgrounds and upbringings.

“What it really comes down to is heart; to that little Aussie battler vibe. It’s about the relationships between [teammates] that get put to the ultimate test. It can result in conflict and some pretty testing times but that’s juxtaposed with some of the most amazing true love stories. They really are a heart-warming, inspiring and diverse bunch, and I can’t wait for Australia to get to know them.”

The Amazing Race is on Ten, Monday, August 29, 7.30pm.

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