Jo Gardiner, ‘Race Across the World’ star, dies at 61

Jo Gardiner, a former contestant on the BBC travel competition ‘Race Across the World’, has died at the age of 61 following a battle with cancer. Her family confirmed the news in a statement, describing her as an ‘intrepid adventurer’ and a ‘one of a kind’ individual.

Gardiner gained public recognition during the second series of the show in 2020, where she traveled across Central and South America with her son, Sam Gardiner. Her passing comes just over a year after the death of Sam, who died at age 24 following a car accident in Scotland.

In their tribute, family members described Jo as a source of joy and a ‘safe place’ for her loved ones. They requested privacy during their period of grief but encouraged others to honor her memory by sharing funny stories and living life to the fullest.