**BBC’s Race Across The World Pays Tribute to Former Contestant Sam Gardiner Following His Tragic Death**
The recent episode of the popular BBC series ‘Race Across The World’ has been dedicated to the memory of Sam Gardiner, a contestant from a previous series who passed away tragically at the age of 24. The moving tribute came at the conclusion of Wednesday night’s broadcast, which displayed a photograph of Gardiner alongside the words: “In loving memory of Sam Gardiner 2000–2025.”
Sam Gardiner, a landscape gardener by profession, died following a serious road accident in late May. Police confirmed Gardiner was driving a white Volkswagen Golf R estate on the A34 in Gatley, near Cheadle, Greater Manchester, when the car left the road, rolled, and eventually landed on its side. Emergency services responded to the incident on Monday, 26 May. Gardiner was taken to hospital, but succumbed to his injuries three days later, on 29 May.
He had been working on a remote estate along the west coast of Scotland prior to the incident, and had returned to his hometown of Manchester to attend a family gathering. The police described the event as a “single vehicle collision” and stated that the family are being supported by specially trained officers in the wake of the tragedy.
Gardiner’s journey into the public eye began during the second series of Race Across The World, where he competed alongside his mother, Jo Gardiner. The series, which followed adventurers as they raced overland from Mexico to Argentina without the aid of flights, quickly became a fan favourite. Sam and Jo’s bond, as well as their light-hearted dynamic, resonated strongly with viewers, and their appearance remains one of the show’s most memorable partnerships.
In a statement, his parents, Jo and Andrew Gardiner, expressed their profound grief: “We are devastated and will hold on to the memories that made him so special.” Mourning the loss, they described Sam as “loyal, funny and fiercely protective,” highlighting his ability to “bring warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went. He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts.”
The BBC production team behind Race Across The World joined tributes for Sam Gardiner, saying he had become an “integral part” of the series. They offered their deepest condolences to his family and friends, stating: “Everyone who worked with him and indeed everyone who watched Sam could see just how precious and transformative the trip was for both him and his mum, Jo. Sam embraced the seven-week trip with an energy, love and determination that led the pair on adventures across Mexico and Argentina, making audiences fall in love with them and their special bond.”
Public expressions of sympathy continue to pour in from the Race Across The World community, with many viewers sharing memories of Sam’s warmth and humour. The emotional impact of his journey with Jo, and the pair’s resilience, has clearly endured since the 2020 broadcast.
At present, the Gardiner family have announced that private funeral arrangements will be made, limited to close family and friends as they cope with their loss in privacy.
The untimely death of Sam Gardiner has left a mark not only on those who knew him personally, but also on a nation of viewers who followed his adventures on television. As the Race Across The World episode dedicated to his memory made clear, Sam’s legacy will live on through both the memories shared by his loved ones and his unforgettable run on the global adventure series.