Race Across the World finalist Jo reveals her cancer has returned

Physiotherapist competed on BBC series with her son, Sam

Race Across the World contestant Jo, who competed in the BBC series with her son Sam, has revealed that her cancer has returned.

While appearing on a reunion special for the show’s cast members, Jo said that she was undergoing chemotherapy, having participated in the series due to previous battles with lymphoma.

“One of my main motivations to go travelling, particularly with Sam, was I’ve got a few health issues,” she said. “So I was aware that I probably didn’t have that many more opportunities that I could do something like this with Sam.”

She told her fellow contestants: “Some of you know, I’ve got lymphoma, and I had chemo about four years ago and I knew it would come back, but I didn’t know when.

“Then when I was on the trip, I kind of thought – Hmm, I think that there are some signs, and it has come back. So I’m actually now in chemotherapy.”

Jo explained that she was determined to beat the disease once more, and that she intends to do more travelling in the aftermath.

“I just have to get this chemo over with and do it all again before it comes back again,” she said.

Jo and Sam were knocked out of the series in its final episode, after running out of money.

The series saw five pairs competing to make the fastest journey across South America without using air travel.

Winners Jamiul and Emon revealed last week that they were “heartbroken” by the outcome, having bonded with their fellow competitors and only beaten their closest rivals Jen and Rob by seconds.