'There will never be another her': Manchester's Jo Gardiner from Race Across the World dies aged 61

Jo Gardiner, the Manchester physiotherapist who raced across South America with her son Sam on BBC One's Race Across the World, has died aged 61 following cancer.

Her death comes just over a year after Sam was killed when his car came off the road in June 2025. The mother and son competed in the second series of the show in 2020, travelling from Mexico City to Ushuaia in Argentina. Gardiner wanted to experience the adventure with Sam, who had ADHD.

She is survived by her son Charlie.

What did her family say?

Her family said she died "following a long and courageous battle with cancer" and described her as "one of a kind."

They said: "She lived fully, fiercely and never did anything by halves. She was blessed with countless friends, drawn to her extraordinary magnetism. Somehow, each one felt as though they were among her very best."

They added: "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 asked for privacy but urged "everyone who knew and loved Jo to do exactly what she would have wanted: tell the funny stories, raise a glass, have an adventure, laugh loudly and live life to the full."

They said: "There will never be another her."

What did the show's producers say?

A Race Across the World spokesperson said: "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."