Race Across The World star Jo Gardiner has died aged 61, a year after the death of her son and fellow contestant Sam Gardiner.
Jo appeared alongside Sam in the second series of the BBC travel competition in 2020, with their journey across Latin America becoming one of the programme’s memorable mother-and-son stories.
Her family announced that she died following a “long and courageous battle with cancer.”
In a statement, they described Jo as someone who had a rare ability to make those around her “feel more alive” and who lived her life “fully, fiercely and never did anything by halves”.
They said she was their “family, our joy, our safe place and our absolute treasure”, adding that her laughter, courage and kindness would live on through the many people whose lives she touched.
Her family encouraged those who knew Jo to remember her by telling funny stories, raising a glass, having adventures and living life to the full.
Race Across The World pays tribute
Studio Lambert, which produces Race Across The World, joined the BBC and members of the programme’s cast in offering condolences to Jo’s surviving son Charlie and her wider family and friends.
The production team recalled Jo’s passion for life, kindness and strength, as well as her devotion to Sam and her family.
They described her as the “matriarch of the Race Across the World cast family”, saying she had left a lasting legacy through both the programme and the people she met.
The tribute added:
“At the time of filming, Sam described his mum as amazing – and that is how we will always remember her.”
Son Sam died aged 24
Jo’s death comes around a year after the tragic loss of her son Sam Gardiner, who died aged 24 from injuries sustained in a car crash.
The pair had competed together on Race Across The World, travelling thousands of miles across Latin America without taking flights as they raced towards the finish.
Following Sam’s death, viewers and members of the programme’s production team paid tribute to the close relationship between mother and son.
Now, tributes have again poured in from viewers following news of Jo’s death, with fans remembering her personality and the relationship she shared with Sam on screen.
Jo is survived by her son Charlie.
The family has asked for privacy while they grieve.
