HEARTFELT TRIBUTE
Moment Race Across The World’s Sam Gardiner has emotional heart-to-heart with mum on BBC show as he dies aged 24
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THIS is the moment Race Across The World star Sam Gardiner shared an emotional heart-to-heart with his mum before his tragic death aged 24.
The contestant, who featured in the BBC show's second series in 2020, had been driving on the A34 near Manchester on Monday night.
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The horror unfolded as his car suddenly left the road and rolled before it landed on its side, Greater Manchester Police said.
Sam was the only person in the vehicle, his mother Jo confirmed in a heartbreaking statement on Sunday.
A poignant clip of the landscape gardener and his mum, who appeared on Race Across The World together, has resurfaced in light of the tragedy.
The duo melted viewers' hearts as they traversed South America on the show.
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While they were unable to compete in the final leg, as they ran out of money, Sam described the experience as "life-changing".
"How many 19-year-old's can say they've done this and travelled with their mum," said Sam as they looked out into a sunset.
Jo replied: "I think just you really. We've got long journeys, you're trying to balance it with enjoying yourself, but also have a budget, there's bound to be stresses.
"But I think our relationship is still in tact even if you find me slightly more irritating that you used to," she laughed.
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"This has been really great fun," Jo added before the pair raced down sand dunes together.
It comes after Sam's devastated dad Andrew paid tribute, and confirmed the sad news.
In an emotional statement, the contestant's dad said: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident.
"Sam left us far too soon, and whilst words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special.
"Sam was adored by his family. As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, funny and fiercely protective."
Speaking on Sam's time on the popular BBC show, Andrew added: "Race Across The World opened his eyes to the wonder of adventure and travel.
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"He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead and he touched everyone he met on the road.
"He found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland.
"Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went. He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts.
"We will miss him endlessly, but we'll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade."
Sam's uncle Jonny Gray told : "What you saw was what you got. Sam loved gardening, animals and doing physical activity."
Mr Gray added how the "public really loved" Sam and mum Jo on the show.
A spokesperson for the makers of Race Across The World said: "We are all deeply saddened to hear the tragic news about Sam.
"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 a determination that saw the pair enjoy adventures across Mexico to Argentina making audiences fall in love with them and their special bond as a result.
"Since filming, both Sam and Jo have been an integral part of the Race Across The World cast family, and on behalf of us all from the BBC, production and the rest of the cast, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to his parents, Andrew and Jo; his brothers, William and Charlie; his step mum Justine; his family and friends."
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Sam had recently been working on the west coast of Scotland as a landscape gardener before making the journey down to Stockport, Greater Manchester.
He had travelled south for a family birthday celebration earlier this week, according to his uncle.
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