Race Across the World star Jo Gardiner dies aged 61 one year after son's death
Jo Gardiner, a former contestant on the BBC's Race Across the World, has passed away at age 61 following a battle with cancer. Her death comes just one year after her son and co-star, Sam Gardiner, died in a car accident.
Why it matters
The story reflects on the personal tragedy of a public figure and the emotional impact of losing a family member to a road accident.
Image source, PA Image caption, Jo Gardiner travelled with her son in the 2020 series of the BBC One show
A former Race Across the World contestant has died, a year after her son and co-star's death in a car crash.
Jo Gardiner, 61, died "following a long and courageous battle with cancer", her family said.
Gardiner, a physiotherapist from Manchester, travelled across South America with her son Sam in the second series of the BBC show, which aired in 2020.
Her family said she was "one of a kind" who "lived fully, fiercely and never did anything by halves".
Image caption, Sam Gardiner (right) died in a crash last year
Her son, Sam, who she appeared with on the show, died in June 2025 after his car came off the road and crashed.
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