Race Across the World star Jo Gardiner dies aged 61 a year after son’s fatal crash

Jo Gardiner, who competed on "Race Across the World" with son Sam Gardiner, has died at 61 one year after his death.

Stars of Race Across The World have shared their best moments with Jo Gardiner on social media, following her death at the age of 61.

Jo Gardiner, who travelled across South America with her son Sam on the BBC series, has died aged 61 following a long battle with cancer.

Jo, who was 61, died a year after the death of her son Sam, who starred with her on the South America series of the BBC show, in a car accident.

Jo died one year after her son Sam Gardiner sadly died in an A34 crash

Gardiner, who had cancer, is remembered as ‘one of a kind’ after competing in BBC show with son Sam in 2020Tributes have been paid to the Race Across the World star Jo Gardiner, who has died a year after her son and co-star Sam was killed in a car crash.The physiotherapist from Manchester died after “a long and courageous battle with cancer”, relatives said. She was 61 and is survived by her other son, Charlie. Continue reading...

Jo Gardiner, star of the second season of Race Across the World, has died. She was 61. Gardiner’s family said she died after a “long and courageous battle with cancer.” Her passing comes a year after her son, Sam, lost his life in a car crash in 2025. Jo and Sam competed together in Race […]

Race Across The World star Jo Gardiner has died, a year after her co-star son Sam was killed in a car crash.

Race Across The World star Jo Gardiner has died, a year after her co-star son Sam was killed in a car crash.

Jo Gardiner pictured behind the scenes of Race Across The WorldFormer Race Across The World competitor Jo Gardiner has died at the age of 61.In a statement released on Monday morning, Jo’s family announced that she had died “following a long and courageous battle with cancer”.“She lived fully, fiercely and never did anything by halves,” they said (as reported by Metro). “She was blessed with countless friends, drawn to her extraordinary magnetism. Somehow, each one felt as though they were among her very best.“To us, she was more than all of these things. She was our family, our joy, our safe place and our absolute treasure.”Jo’s family ended by making a call for privacy, adding: “We also ask everyone who knew and loved Jo to do exactly what she would have wanted: tell the funny stories, raise a glass, have an adventure, laugh loudly and live life to the full.“She was one of a kind. There will never be another her.”Jo and her son Sam took part in the second season of Race Across The World, which took the competing teams from Mexico City to Ushuaia, Argentina.Jo and her son Sam – who died in 2025 – took part in the second season of Race Across The WorldThe pair finished in fourth place overall, after having to drop out during the penultimate leg after running out of money.Last year, Sam died suddenly at the age of 24, following a car accident.“On behalf of the Studio Lambert production team, the BBC and the whole Race Across The World cast, we offer our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Jo’s son Charlie, and her wider family and friends,” a Race Across The World rep said on Monday. “Following the tragic death of Jo’s son Sam last year, we paid tribute to how integral Sam and Jo had been to series two. Millions of people remembered their transformative journey across Latin America in 2020 and we hold that memory in our hearts as we fondly recall Jo’s passion for life, her kindness, her strength, and above all her utter devotion to Sam and her family.“At the time of filming, Sam described his mum as amazing – and that is how we will always remember her. Jo became the matriarch of the Race Across The World cast family, she leaves a lasting legacy in the many lives that she touched, both through the series and beyond. It was a privilege to share her story and she will be deeply missed.”

Former TV contestant, Jo Gardiner, dies of cancer one year after her son and co-star's death in a crash.

The mother and son competed in the TV competition during its second series in 2020

Her family confirmed Ms Gardiner died ‘following a long and courageous battle with cancer’

The mother and son competed in the BBC competition during its second series in 2020

Jo Gardiner competed with her son Sam in the hit BBC show during its second series in 2020

Jo Gardiner's son and co-star Sam died in a car crash on the A34 in 2025

The mother and son competed on Race Across The World because Jo wanted to experience a travel adventure with Sam, who had beend diagnosed with ADHD