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The Manc - 16th January 2020

News

Race Across The World star Jo Gardiner dies just one year after co-star son

Daisy Jackson

Jo Gardiner, from Manchester, starred on season two of Race Across The World

A Race Across The World star from Manchester has died just one year after her son and co-star tragically passed away.

Jo Gardiner, who starred on the hit BBC series back in 2020, died after a ‘long and courageous battle’ with cancer, her family has said.

The 61-year-old physiotherapist appeared on the second season of the travel competition, racing across Latin America with her son Sam Gardiner, who was just 19 at the time.

The pair became a fan favourite as they bonded over their travels, and Sam gained confidence to explore despite his ADHD.

Tragically, Sam passed away last May at the age of 24, following a vehicle collision in Gatley.

Paying tribute to Jo, Studio Lambert and the BBC described her as ‘the matriarch of the Race Across The World cast family’.

In the tribute, they also sent ‘deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Jo’s son Charlie’.

Jo’s family shared in a statement: “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.”

Studio Lambert and the BBC shared: “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.

pic.twitter.com/DKPedAtdjR
— Race Across The World (@RATW_official) August 24, 2026

“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.”

Featured image: BBC

News

Manchester band Westside Cowboy release ‘thrilling’ debut album that critics are calling one of the year’s best

Emily Sergeant

One of the UK’s best rising bands have released their debut album today to glowing reviews from critics and fans alike.

AND they’re from Manchester… sort of.

Jimmy Bradbury, Reuben Haycocks, Aoife Anson O’Connell, and Paddy Murphy – better known together as Westside Cowboy – formed back in 2023 when they were students at the Royal Northern College of Music, so while they may not all be from Manchester, they definitely have the spirit of our city at the heart of everything they do.

After playing in different bands across the city throughout their student years, the four-piece joined forces to create Westside Cowboy – an indie rock collective credited with self-coining the genre of ‘Britainicana’.

Put simply, Britainicana is a cultural concept that mixes the hazy, mythic feel of American country and folk, with the sound of raw British punk, indie rock, and small-town life.

Westside Cowboy have released their debut album, It Goes On / Credit: Clementine Schniedermann (Press Shots – Supplied)

If that sounds like your cup of tea, then you’ll be pleased to know that Westside Cowboy have released their debut album, It Goes On, to the world today (21 August).

And the reception from critics, arguably, couldn’t be better.

We’re talking four-star and five-star reviews from some major music publications, including the likes of heavy-hitters Rolling Stone UK, NME, Clash Magazine, DIY Magazine, Far Out Magazine, and Stereogum, among plenty others.

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A post shared by @westsidecowboyyy

Prior to the release of their debut album, the band had released two EPs, including So Much Country ‘Till We Get There in January earlier this year, and had started to make a name for themselves with their popular debut single ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)’ in 2024.

They went onto make even further waves when they supported equally-rising American rock band Geese on their UK and Irish tour back in March – with many fans calling it one of the best support and main act combinations in some time.

Three singles from their debut album were shared with the world ahead of its release – ‘Kick Stones (The Boys)’ came first, followed by ‘Pin Up Boys’ and ‘Dobro’.

So, it’s fair to say the anticipation for album was high… and if the reviews are anything to go by (which we think they are), it looks like the band has very much delivered what they set out to achieve.

Westside Cowboy’s debut album It Goes On is now available to stream, or you can purchase a physical copy in a range of formats from their website here.

Take a listen👇

Featured Image – Press Shot (Supplied)