Race Across the World Star Jo Gardiner Dies at 61 After Cancer Battle
Jo Gardiner, who competed alongside her son Sam in the second season of the BBC reality series Race Across the World, has died at the age of 61 after what her family described as a "long and courageous battle with cancer" Deadline.
Her death, which occurred in June 2025 according to BBC News, came a little over a year after her son Sam was killed in a car crash on the A34 near Manchester on 26 May 2025. He was 24 BBC News. Sam's car left the road and landed on its side; he died in hospital days later BBC News.
Jo and Sam Gardiner were contestants on the second series of Race Across the World, a BBC competition produced by Studio Lambert in which pairs race across a continent without smartphones, planes or credit cards. Together they traversed Latin America and finished fourth Deadline. By day, Jo worked as a physiotherapist BBC News.
Studio Lambert and the BBC issued a joint statement offering condolences to Jo's surviving son Charlie and her wider family and friends. The broadcaster and production company noted they had previously paid tribute to how integral Sam and Jo were to series two of the show Deadline.
After Sam's death, Jo Gardiner urged motorists to carry out regular safety checks on their tyres — a campaign born from personal loss BBC News. Sam's family said at the time they were "overwhelmed" by the support they received following his death BBC News.
Jo Gardiner's family shared their statement with BBC News. She is survived by her son Charlie.
