BBC Race Across The World Star Jo Gardiner Dies a Year After Son Sam
Her family said the Manchester physiotherapist died after a long battle with cancer and remembered her as an adventurer and ambassador for Diabetes UK.
- Jo Gardiner, 61, has died following a "long and courageous battle with cancer," her family announced. The Manchester physiotherapist starred in the second series of BBC's Race Across The World in 2020 alongside her son Sam.
- Her death comes one year after Sam, her co-star and son, died in a car crash. The pair had competed in the 2020 global travel competition, racing across South America together during the reality show.
- Family and production staff paid tribute to Gardiner, describing her as "an intrepid adventurer, brave, kind, witty and endlessly loving." A Race Across The World spokeswoman said she became the "matriarch of the cast family," leaving a lasting legacy.
- Gardiner, who lived with type 1 diabetes, served as an ambassador for Diabetes UK. Her family established a JustGiving page supporting the charity, and she is survived by her son Charlie.
- Millions remembered the pair's "transformative journey" across Latin America, and loved ones ask supporters to "tell the funny stories, raise a glass, have an adventure, laugh loudly and live life to the full." There will never be another her.
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Jo Gardiner Dead: 'Race Across The World' Star Passes A Year After Son
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 Across the World, traversing Latin America for the BBC reality competition series, produced by Studio Lambert. They became firm favorites among fans of the …
Race Across The World Contestant Jo Gardiner Has Died, Aged 61
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 magnetis…
Race Across The World Jo Gardiner dead after son Sam dies in car crash
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