Race Across The World winner Emon Choudhury pays tribute to his co-star Jo Gardiner after her death at the age of 61

Race Across The World winner Emon Choudhury has paid tribute to his co-star Jo Gardiner after her death at the age of 61.

Businessman Emon, 41, appeared on the second series of the show in 2020 alongside Jo and went on to win it with his nephew Jamiul.

It was announced on Monday that Jo had died - a year after her co-star son Sam was killed in a car crash.

She died on Friday, August 21 following 'a long and courageous battle with cancer', her family said in a statement. The physiotherapist, from Manchester, was 'an intrepid adventurer, brave, kind, witty and endlessly loving,' they added.

Her son Sam, who she adopted with her ex-husband Andrew, died in June last year at the age of 24 after his Volkswagen came off the road and rolled before landing on its side. 

Emon paid emotional tribute in an Instagram post after the news was shared and uploaded snaps with Jo and the wider Race Across The World cast.

He penned: 'With a very heavy heart, we lost our beautiful friend Jo. I've been looking through these photos trying to work out what to write and honestly, I don't think there are words that can explain what Jo meant to us.

'When we went on Race Across the World we were complete strangers. We thought we were going on a race, an adventure and making a TV show. None of us realised we would come away from it as a family.

'And Jo really was the glue that kept that family together. She was always checking in, organising things, bringing us together and making sure we stayed in each other's lives. The TV show finished years ago, but because of Jo, our little family never did.

'Looking at these pictures now is really hard. When we took them they were just normal moments, having a laugh and enjoying ourselves. You never think that one day you'll look back and wish you could have just one of those moments again.

'Jo, I really hope you knew how much we all loved you and how much you meant to us ❤️.

'And I can't talk about Jo without thinking about Sam too. So many people got to know and love them both through Race Across the World. Losing Sam last year was something no mum should ever have had to go through, and it's so hard to believe we've now lost them both.

'I just hope somewhere, somehow, you and Sam are together again ❤️. My heart goes out to Charlie. I can't imagine what you're going through. Sending all my love and deepest condolences to you and all of Jo's family and friends.

'Things just won't be the same without her. But the family Jo worked so hard to keep together will stay together. We'll keep checking in, keep meeting up and keep laughing about all the memories we made. Jo and Sam will always be part of them.

'I'm so grateful this crazy race brought you into my life, Jo. You brought us together and you kept us together. Now it's our turn. I'll miss you more than I can put into words. Rest peacefully my beautiful friend.'

Jo and her son Sam competed in the BBC's global travel competition during its second series in 2020, journeying across South America together and finishing in fourth place. 

The family's statement said on Monday: 'She had a rare gift for making everyone around her feel more alive. 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.

'To us, she was more than all of these things. She was our family, our joy, our safe place and our absolute treasure.

'We know how deeply Jo was loved, and we take comfort in knowing that her laughter, her courage, her kindness and her wonderfully outrageous spirit will live on in the many people whose lives she touched.

'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.'

The news was also confirmed on the BBC show's social media accounts, with a statement paying tribute to 'the matriarch' of the cast.

'On behalf of the Studio Lambert production team, the BBC and the whole Race Across The World cast, we offer our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Jo's son Charlie, and her wider family and friends,' the post read.

'Following the tragic death of Jo's son Sam last year, we paid tribute to how integral Sam and Jo had been to series two.'

'Millions of people remembered their 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, 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 is survived by her son Charlie.

Sam had been driving on the A34 in Gatley, near Manchester, when his car suddenly left the road, rolling before it eventually landed on its side, according to Greater Manchester Police.

The landscape gardener had been working on an isolated estate on the west coast of Scotland and was home in Manchester for a family gathering. He died from a brain injury in hospital three days after the crash.

After his death Ms Gardiner and her family said they were 'overwhelmed' with the support they had received from fans.

The family set up a fundraiser in Sam's memory for the National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) charity which raised more than £20,000.

Sam was adopted by parents Jo and Andrew and later diagnosed with FASD which can develop when someone has been exposed to alcohol in the womb. His mother said after his death: 'If some good comes of this tragedy, it will be that FASD is better understood.'

Jo said she had been 'particularly moved by all the messages that Sam was an inspiration to many who have been impacted by FASD'.

'We adopted Sam and he was diagnosed with FASD. As viewers of season two will recall, this was a big challenge both for Sam and for us as his parents,' she said.

But she added that the National FASD charity 'helped us on that journey'.

Race Across the World stars reunited in May 2026 to mark a year since Sam's death and to compete in the Great Manchester Run to raise funds for the charity.

The mother and son competed on Race Across The World because Jo wanted to experience a travel adventure with Sam, who also had ADHD.

They competed against four other pairs of contestants racing from Mexico City down to Ushuaia in Argentina.

During filming, Sam said: 'Mum and I are very close - we often think or say the same things.

'She has travelled a lot in her life, so I think it would be fun to do it with her.'

The mother and son's co-stars paid tribute to Jo on Monday. 

Alfie Watts, who won series four of the show, commented on the BBC's tribute: 'Rest in peace Jo. Such an incredible woman.'

Rob Lambra-Stokes, runner-up from series two, commented 'Miss you mumma Jo' whilst winner Emon Choudhury added a broken heart emoji. 

Jo, who lived with type 1 diabetes, was an ambassador for Diabetes UK and her family have set up a JustGiving page in her name, with all donations supporting Diabetes UK.