Jo Gardiner, who appeared in the second series of the BBC's Race Across The World alongside her son Sam, has died aged 61. Her family confirmed she passed away following a long and brave battle with cancer, just twelve months after Sam died in a road collision.
The mother and son duo competed in the 2020 series, racing across South America from Mexico City to Ushuaia in Argentina. They were among five pairs of contestants in the show, which saw them navigate the route without flights and with limited funds.
Family tribute to 'one of a kind' adventurer
In a statement, her family remembered the Manchester-based physiotherapist as an intrepid adventurer who was brave, witty, kind and immensely loving. They said: “She had a rare gift for making everyone around her feel more alive. She lived fully, fiercely and never did anything by halves.”
The statement continued: “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.”
Her family also asked those who knew her to honour her memory by doing “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.”
Son Sam died in June 2025
Ms Gardiner is survived by her son Charlie. Her other son Sam, with whom she appeared on the show, died in June 2025 at the age of 24. He was driving a white Volkswagen Golf R estate when it came off the road and rolled before landing on its side.
At the time, Sam, a landscape gardener, had been working on an isolated estate on the west coast of Scotland and was home in Manchester for a family gathering. The mother and son had chosen to take part in Race Across The World because Jo wanted to experience a travel adventure with Sam, who had ADHD.
BBC and production team pay tribute
A Race Across The World spokeswoman said: “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.”
She added: “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.”
The spokeswoman concluded: “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.”
Ms Gardiner, who lived with type 1 diabetes, was an ambassador for Diabetes UK. Her family has set up a JustGiving page in her name, with all donations supporting Diabetes UK.
