Race Across the World star Jo Gardiner has passed away at the age of 61 following a battle with cancer, just a year after her son’s tragic car accident.
Gardiner’s family confirmed her passing in a statement to U.K. outlets Metro and The Independent. They shared that the reality star endured “a long and courageous battle with cancer.”
Her family lovingly described her as “our joy, our safe place and our absolute treasure.”
“We know how deeply Jo was loved, and we find solace in knowing that her laughter, courage, kindness, and wonderfully outrageous spirit will continue to touch the lives of many,” the statement read. “As we mourn, we ask for privacy and encourage those who knew and loved Jo to honor her by sharing funny stories, raising a glass, embarking on adventures, laughing heartily, and living life fully.”
Reflecting on Gardiner’s impact, her family noted that she “never did things by halves” and described her as “one of a kind.”
According to the Manchester Evening News, Gardiner is survived by her son Charlie. Her passing follows the death of her son Sam, who died at 24 in a car accident the previous year.
A statement from Greater Manchester Police detailed the accident, revealing that Sam’s car veered off the road and “rolled before landing on its side” in May 2025.
In a social media post at the time, Sam’s parents, Jo and Andrew, expressed their grief, saying, “Sam left us far too soon, and while words cannot fully capture the light, joy, and energy he brought into our lives, we cherish the memories that made him so special. Sam spread warmth, laughter, and a touch of chaos wherever he went. He leaves a huge gap in our hearts. We will miss him endlessly, but we’ll continue to remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a love that will never fade.”
Jo and Sam had previously appeared on the second season of the U.K. reality competition Race Across the World in 2020, where they traveled from Mexico City to Ushuaia in Argentina.
“My son and I get on so well and he is desperate to travel, but I’m nervous of him going off on his own,” Jo shared with the BBC during that time. “I want the trip to help him grow and see how the world works. Watching him experience this will be fantastic. He’s come such a long way and I would love to see him achieve his dreams.”
Following Jo’s passing, Race Across the World‘s social media account shared a tribute, expressing their “deepest and heartfelt sympathies.”
A post on their account stated, “Millions of people remembered [Jo and Sam’s] 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.”
“At the time of filming, Sam described his mum as amazing – and that is how we will always remember her. Jo became the matriarch of the Race Across the World cast family, leaving 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,” the statement concluded.
