It is one of the atypical pairs of Beijing Express. Since February 16, the boss Xavier and his employee Céline are still in contention in season 17 of the game refereed by Stéphane Rotenberg on M6. A unique adventure for these happy people from Lorraine appearing in the final square of this South American adventure. “We are happy, it’s really just happiness”, assures the sexagenarian to Planet.

However, nothing predestined Xavier, human resources director of the Chaussea brand, to leave Meurthe-et-Moselle to undertake a long journey in South America. “It was above all Céline who motivated me to take part in this challenge”, he admits. “I didn’t know the show too well. I looked a bit like that, but Céline is a fan”.

If the bubbly candidate wanted to participate in Beijing Express with her companion, the latter “did not want to come”, explains Xavier. “So she offered it to me.” Between the HRD and the payroll manager, it is a collaboration that has lasted for a long time, in good agreement and mutual respect. “We worked together for 10 years. I hired him at the age of 23,” recalls the 60-year-old Lorrain.

From the start of the competition, Xavier and Céline stood out for their spontaneity, their humor and their politeness by addressing each other throughout the adventure. In moments of joy, doubt and even during hardships when stress is at its peak. Between the infernal zip line in Bolivia and the tasting of the specialties in Paraguay, the two candidates went through all the emotions.

“I showed him the example, I showed him that it didn’t scare me”, recalls Xavier in order to encourage his partner Céline. “Out of pride, she absolutely wanted to surpass herself. That was really our driving force all along”. Efforts that pay off over the stages for the duo. Qualified four times for the immunity test, Les Lorrains gained protection during the last stage in Bolivia and won their first amulet for the ultimate race in Paraguay.

With Planet, Xavier confides his admiration for Céline who has often amazed him in the adventure. “Céline is impressive, she’s really a fearless fighter. She’s reckless and challenging. She’s a winner!”, he rejoices. “She manages to overcome her fears and she is a person who has impressed me”.

Beijing Express has transformed the ties between the two candidates. “From a professional relationship, it turned into a friendship. We see each other and call each other regularly. Céline has become a friend”, jokes the former boss, now retired, who is familiar with his friend. But, tonight, Xavier and Céline will have to separate when they arrive in Brazil.

For the mixed teams stage, the boss teams up with Chirine, Alexandre’s partner. Only three duos can qualify for the semi-final and hope to win up to 100,000 euros in the final. Will Xavier and Céline follow in the footsteps of Christina and Didier, their predecessors and season 11 winners? Answer in the following episodes.