Jo Gardiner has passed away at age 61 after a long battle with cancer, a year after her son Sam's death. She was a contestant in the second season of BBC's Race Across the World alongside Sam.Jo Gardiner's family announced the tragic news of her passing in statements to the UK news outlets Metro and The Independent:''[Jo died following a] long and courageous battle with cancer...She was our family, our joy, our safe place and our absolute treasure. As we grieve, we ask for privacy, but we also ask 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. She was one of a kind. There will never be another her.’'More on this in our story.Jo Gardiner appeared in Race Across the World with her son View this post on Instagram Instagram PostJo Gardiner appeared in the second season of Race Across the World, the BBC's reality competition series where teams of two race to become the fastest to reach a destination using any means of transportation other than air travel alongside her son Sam Gardiner. It was reported that Gardiner decided to participate in the reality series as she wanted to experience an adventure with her son, who had ADHD.The second season of Race Across the World saw Jo and Sam compete against four teams of racers. The teams set off from Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City to Ushuaia, Argentina and covered 25,000 km in 2 months.The mother-son duo, who secured fourth place in the reality competition, quickly became fan favorites throughout its second season.BBC and Studio Lambert posted a heartfelt tribute to Jo Gardiner, offering their sympathies to her son Charlie and extended family. The tribute honored the late mother-son duo and their unforgettable journey across Latin America, a moving adventure that continues to live on in the hearts of fans who watched and cherished their story. The post was capped off with a heartwarming message:''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.”Jo Gardiner's son died in a car crash in 2025The news of Jo's passing comes a year after her son Sam tragically died in a car crash. According to a report by Greater Manchester Police, Sam was involved in a brutal car crash in May 2025, which claimed his life. Sam was driving a white Volkswagen in Manchester when it veered off the road and rolled before landing on its side.Jo Gardiner's son was transported to a hospital after the accident but he succumbed to life-threatening injuries a few days later.Gardiner’s parents, Jo and Andrew, were naturally devastated by this tragedy and shared heartfelt words about their late son, including his time on the BBC reality series.According to local outlet Manchester Evening News, Jo Gardiner is survived by her son Charlie.For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.