Jo Gardiner, who appeared on the second series of the BBC show Race Across the World, has died following a battle with cancer.
Key facts
- •Jo Gardiner was 61 years old at the time of her death.
- •She worked as a physiotherapist based in Manchester.
- •Gardiner appeared on the second series of Race Across the World in 2020.
- •Her son and co-star, Sam, died in a car crash in June 2025.
- •The family has requested privacy during their period of mourning.
Jo Gardiner, a 61-year-old physiotherapist from Manchester, has died following a long battle with cancer. Gardiner was known for her appearance on the second series of the BBC show Race Across the World, where she competed alongside her son, Sam. Her family confirmed her passing, noting that she had been battling the illness for some time.
Television appearance and family
Gardiner and her son Sam participated in the 2020 series of Race Across the World, traveling from Mexico City to Ushuaia, Argentina. The pair competed against four other teams, with Gardiner joining the show to share a travel adventure with her son, who had ADHD. Sam Gardiner died in June 2025 following a car crash.
Tributes and legacy
In a statement, Gardiner’s family described her as a person who lived life fully and possessed a rare gift for making others feel alive. A spokesperson for the show, speaking on behalf of the BBC and production team Studio Lambert, called Gardiner the "matriarch" of the cast and expressed condolences to her surviving son, Charlie, and her wider family.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Entertainment & Arts.
