Destination X thrown into chaos as police interrupt next episode of BBC show

BBC's fresh globetrotting reality series Destination X descended into mayhem after Italian authorities disrupted production.

Fronted by Welsh comedian Rob Brydon, the programme follows 10 contestants on an epic European journey aboard a coach with tinted windows, visiting stunning but enigmatic destinations.

During each episode, participants face trials to secure hints that might assist them in solving one crucial puzzle: precisely where on Earth have they landed?

Competitors build partnerships and feuds throughout their quest, all vying for a substantial monetary reward.

At the conclusion of Thursday's episode (August 14) of the programme, audiences received a preview of the forthcoming instalment which spiralled into disorder when local authorities disrupted shooting, reports the Express.

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As the group neared a border checkpoint, Italian officers seemed to stop the coach, declaring "you have no permit".

It was then that BBC production staff informed the team: "Just bear with us please, we're having some issues with local authorities".

Police subsequently enquired: "How many people on the bus?" before a crew member was spotted conversing with them prior to yelling: "We need to find the paperwork now".

It wasn't long before supporters flocked to X - previously Twitter - to voice their theories online.

One viewer wrote: "Not the police getting involved, my word" whilst another quipped: "The next location is Venice jail [laughing emoji]" as a third added: "Messy TV at its finest [cry-laughing emoji]."

However, some viewers were sceptical about the police intervention. One viewer scoffed: "Not falling for that! [cry-laughing emoji]" while another chimed in with: "Not real police I reckon."

A third viewer noted: "That police happened on the US version too" and a fourth quipped: "Yeah sure there are cameras everywhere and the Italian police would definitely allow it to be filmed as they raid the bus."

Executive producer Dan Adamson previously told the Mirror: "We crossed a lot of borders and there was always a chance that we were going to have officials trying to board the bus, and so we had to have plan Bs, which we had fake uniforms that we would then do a second boarding of the bus to try and pretend it was just part of the room.”

The dramatic twist followed an episode that left fans feeling short-changed when Rob announced that no contestants would be leaving the reality show that night.

Viewers quickly took to social media to vent their frustration. One disgruntled fan blasted: "What an absolute waste of an episode" and another concurred: "What an absolutely, pointless, waste of time this part of the show has been. Honestly don't see any point to it other than filler."

Another viewer agreed, stating: "So if you skip this episode apart from the first five minutes you wouldn't miss any of the game process" while a third lamented: "This format is nonsense? Poor man's Traitors."

Destination X is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.