Archive June 1, 2025

Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner has died aged 24. The former BBC show contestant died following a car crash in Manchester last week as his parents have paid an emotional tribute.

He had been driving on the A34 on Monday 26 May when his car left the road and rolled before landing on its side, Greater Manchester Police said. Sam had been working in Scotland and travelled to Stockport to attend a family birthday celebration earlier in the week, his uncle has said.

The landscape gardener appeared on the BBC travel show alongside his mum Jo. They trekked across South America in the second series of Race Across the World that aired in 2020. In a statement, Sam’s parents Jo and Andrew said they were “devastated”.

“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident. Sam left us far too soon, and while 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”, they said.

Sam’s parents said he was “adored by his family” and described him as “loyal, funny and fiercely protective”. They added his time on the BBC show “opened Sam’s eyes to the wonder of adventure”.

His parents continued: “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 and mum Jo were unable to compete in the final leg of the race after they ran out of money. However, Sam had described his time on Race Across the World as a” life-changing “experience.

Sam’s uncle Jonny Dunlop has spoke out about the young gardener as he told the BBC:” What you saw was what you got. Sam loved gardening, animals and doing physical activity. “

He said his sister Jo and Sam had a” special relationship “and were an” enormous hit on the show””. The public really loved them, “he said.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said:” We sadly must confirm that the driver of a white VW Golf R estate involved in a single vehicle collision on Monday 26 May on the A34 in Gatley has since passed away from his injuries.

“The driver, a 24-year-old man, has been named as Sam Gardiner. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. They have asked for privacy at this terrible time.

” We’d like to thank everyone who shared our appeal and have sent their best wishes to Sam and his family. “

In a statement at the time, police said:” Emergency services attended the scene and the driver, 24-year-old man, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, suffered serious head injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious and life-threatening condition. “

They added:” Initial enquiries suggest that the car, a white VW Golf R estate, was travelling north on the A34 in Gatley and officers believe that the vehicle went off the carriageway and rolled before landing on its side. “

Following the devastating news, a Race Across the World spokesperson said:” 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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Over the weekend, EastEnders icon Diane Parish posted a fun-filled video of the 2025 British Soap Awards highlights on social media that did not reveal any of the winners.

Diane Parish and her EastEnders castmates made a celebratory trip to Hackney on Saturday night as they prepared to attend the British Soap Awards 2025. The 55-year-old soap icon, who has been starring in Denise Fox on the BBC show since 2006, was long on the waitlist for one of the show categories.

The star had been initially nominated for the Best Leading Performer gong, but did not advance to the second round of nominations for the prestigious award. Instead, EastEnders co-stars Lacey Turner and Kellie Bright were nominated for the gong alongside Emmerdale stars Beth Cordingly and Eden Taylor-Draper.

The glitzy awards show, which was hosted by singing sensation and cruise ship enthusiast Jane McDonald, was also attended by Coronation Street and Hollyoaks stars. When highlights from the ceremony are broadcast on ITV on Thursday night, some fans are awaiting the results to be revealed.

In keeping with this, Diane took to social media on Sunday to post some of her favorite moments from the night. Before, during, and after the event, she shared a two-and-a-half-minute-long video of the festivities that included footage of her partying with other soap stars.

No spoilers for those who don’t want to know, Diane wrote in her main grid after uploading the footage. But I’m SO VERY appreciative of everyone who participates in “What a night” on @bbceastenders!

Clips showed her chuckling and chatting with co-stars, cheering crowd members in the live audience, showcasing Anita Dobson in the crowd, and partying at the after party. However, the after-show venue was the subject of a bomb hoax, so pop stars were in a fit for the occasion.

Following the main awards, the event took place at London’s Hackney Town Hall. However, shortly before 1am, after the event was reportedly threatened with a bomb, attendees were abruptly ordered to leave the venue.

“We all got evacuated just before 1am. No reason was given at first and security came round and told us we had to leave immediately,” a source told The Mirror – recounting the nerves shredding experience.

Security informed us that there had been a bomb threat as we all stood outside the street. People started making their way home because we were prevented from returning to the building.

In a video shared with The Mirror, some of TV’s biggest soap stars can be seen waiting outside the venue as more evacuate – with the likes of EastEnders’ Tameka Empson and former Hollyoaks star Emmett J Scanlan among them.

Additionally, a show source added that “the after party venue was required to be evacuated due to a security alert following the recording of the awards.” Everyone was safely cleared from the building.

Fans of soaps took to social media to criticize ITV for failing to broadcast the event live, with many upset that they had to wait until Thursday to see who would take the stage.

Taking to X to slam the delay in broadcast, one fan raged: “It’s ridiculous that the British Soap Awards isn’t live… there’s more hype for the soap stars arriving outside for something not even airing on tv for another week than there is the Britain’s Got Talent final… sort it out for next year please @itv.”

On Thursday, June 5, 2025, 8 p.m., ITV1 and ITVX will broadcast the British Soap Awards 2025.

Following her victory at the Soap Awards and his harrowing health scare last year, queen rocker Brian May has made a remark about his actress wife Anita Dobson.

Brian May has made a rare comment about his wife Anita Dobson following her Soap Awards win. The Queen rocker, 77, gushed over the actress as she took home the Scene of the Year gong at the annual award ceremony.

EastEnders icon Anita, 76, made a dramatic comeback as her beloved character Angie Watts on the soap, and the move secured her win. Speaking before she was presented with the gong, Anita: “It was just perfect.”

When asked if she could go back, she replied, “I don’t think so; it would have to be something extra special.

As Brian addressed his wife in a public message of support, Brian made sure to congratulate Anita. He gushed, “Congratulations Anita Dobson!!” before going to X. !

My incredibly talented lady wife, who won the Scene of the Year award, has once more shook the East End as a ghost from another life! incredibly proud!!! Bri. “

Actress Anita, who has been married to Brian for 24 years, spoke out about the musician’s health earlier this year following his terrifying stroke.

In September, Brian said that “out of the blue” he suddenly lost control of his left arm, and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance where he was diagnosed with a stroke. He was later told to take it easy and made the announcement himself with a social media video.

Earlier this year, Anita revealed Brian was in a “stable” condition. Anita gave a reassuring four-word answer while on Good Morning Britain.

She continued, “He’s doing well now,” before adding, “I’m very happy to say, thank you both for asking, he’s doing well now, he’s back to his old self!”

Last year, the We Will Rock You legend shared the news with his followers on Instagram by saying, “I hope you’re all well out there. I’m here to share some positive news with you first.

After the events of the past few days, I believe the good news is that I can play guitar because that minor health hiccup, which they referred to as a minor stroke, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, making it a little frightening.

He also praised the excellent care provided by the medical staff at Frimley Hospital in Camberley, Surrey. I must add that Frimley Hospital gave me the most incredible care and attention, and that they even flashed the blue lights. Very exciting” !

Brian also experienced a heart attack in 2020, and he was initially assumed to have had a simple injury from gardening. He now “could have died.”

He subsequently had his heart fitted with three stents, which are tiny tubes that hold open blocked arteries, that helped him recover.

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