Annette Belcher-Bm

Jo Gardiner, a 61-year-old physiotherapist and contestant on the second series of the BBC travel programme Race Across the World, has died after a lengthy battle with cancer. Her death came a year after her 24-year-old son Sam, with whom she appeared on the show, died when his car left the road and overturned. Gardiner’s family described her as an adventurous, charismatic and loving person and asked for privacy while encouraging friends to celebrate her life. The programme’s producers and BBC cast offered condolences, recalling the pair’s journey through Latin America. Gardiner, who had type 1 diabetes and served as a Diabetes UK ambassador, is survived by her son Charlie; donations in her memory will support Diabetes UK.