FORMULA One legend Eddie Jordan has passed away aged 76.
The Irishman revealed in December that he was battling an “aggressive” form of prostate and bladder cancer, which spread to his spine and pelvis and was diagnosed earlier in 2024.
SplashFormula One legend Eddie Jordan has passed away aged 76[/caption]
GettyThe former driver competed in F2 and F3[/caption]
GettyJordan owned an F1 team for 14 years and gave Michael Schumacher his debut[/caption]
X/mrjakehumphreyJake Humphrey, who presented BBC coverage with Jordan and David Coulthard, described being ‘utterly devastated’[/caption]
A family statement said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Eddie Jordan OBE, the ex-Formula 1 team owner, TV pundit and entrepreneur.
“He passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town in the early hours of 20th March 2025 at the age of 76, after battling with an aggressive form of prostate cancer for the past 12 months.
“EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm everywhere he went. We all have a huge hole missing without his presence.
“He will be missed by so many people, but he leaves us with tonnes of great memories to keep us smiling through our sorrow.”
Tributes flooded in for the F1 icon from across the world.
Jake Humphrey, who presented BBC coverage with Jordan and David Coulthard, described being “utterly devastated”.
He posted on X: “Utterly devastated. EJ has left us.
“Formula One won’t see the likes of Eddie ever again where a guy with a love for racing can hustle his way into the sport and end up winning races.
“More important than race wins though, we won hearts. I will never forget how his face would.”
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Group, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the sudden loss of Eddie Jordan.
“With his inexhaustible energy he always knew how to make people smile, remaining genuine and brilliant at all times.
“Eddie has been a protagonist of an era of F1 and he will be deeply missed.
“In this moment of sorrow, my thoughts and those of the entire Formula 1 family are with his family and loved ones.”
Christian Horner, team principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing, shared on Instagram: “Very sorry to hear Eddie Jordan has sadly passed.
“Eddie was a hugely colourful character who I first met in 1991 as a young driver at his then new factory after his first year in Formula One.
“His advice, ‘get a good sponsor… welcome to the Piranha Club!’”
Jordan made his final appearance on live radio last month when he touchingly apologised after revealing he’s “not himself” following a dose of cancer treatment.
The former F1 team owner was on talkSPORT discussing his takeover of London Irish.
GettyHe worked as a pundit in F1 since 2009[/caption]
GettyJordan had a successful career as a team owner in F1 with Jordan Grand Prix[/caption]
GettyKeen musician Jordan also played the drums in a rock and roll band[/caption]
BBCJordan starred opposite Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc on the revamped Top Gear[/caption]
Towards the end of the segment, Jordan said: “Sorry guys, just a small thing, thank you.
“I’ve just come out of getting chemotherapy and I’m not 100 per cent together here guys.
“I’m just not myself at this moment in time. I’m a little all over the place, so please forgive me.”
Back in December, Jordan revealed he went through some “dark days” as the cancer spread to different parts of his body.
He urged people to go out and get tested and spoke about the importance of looking after one’s body.
In an appearance on his Formula For Success podcast, which he hosts alongside Coulthard, Jordan said: “We’ve kind of alluded to it David, over the shows.
“Way back in March and April, I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer.
“And then it spread into the spine and the pelvis, so it was quite aggressive.
“And we’ve all heard about our wonderful friend Sir Chris Hoy, who is an absolute megastar, and he [was] coming out and talking about illness such as like what I’ve got, but he’s a far younger man.
“But this is a little message for all the anchors and everybody listening to this: don’t wait or put it off.
What are the symptons of prostate and bladder cancer?
By Alice Fuller, Health Features Editor
ABOUT 55,000 new prostate cancer cases are recorded every year in the UK.
Bladder cancer is less common, with around 10,500 new cases.
For both types, cancer can start in one area of the body and spread as the disease develops, such as to the pelvis and spine.
But there is also growing evidence to suggest patients can have two primary cancers at once.
In one study by the State University of New York, the coincidence was as high as 70 per cent for prostate cancers in patients with bladder cancer, and 3.4 per cent for bladder cancers in patients with prostate cancer.
Separate research published in the Journal of Urology found 25 per cent of patients with a bladder cancer diagnosis also had prostate cancer, and 3.8 per cent with prostate cancer also had bladder cancer.
Symptoms of both types are similar, but there are some distinct differences.
The most common signs of bladder cancer include:
Blood in your urine
Needing to pee more frequently
Sudden urges to urinate
A burning sensation when you pee
Pelvic or bone pain
Weight loss
Swollen legs
Prostate cancer doesn’t usually cause any symptoms in the early stages, but as it progresses, it might cause:
Needing to pee more frequently, often at night
Rushing to the toilet
Difficulty in starting to pee
Straining or taking a long time to pee
A weak flow
Blood in your urine or semen
Back or bone pain
Tiredness
A loss of appetite
Weight loss
“Go and get tested, because in life you’ve got chances and there is so much medical advice out there and so many things that you can do to extend your lifetime.
“Go and do it. Don’t be stupid, don’t be shy. It’s not a shy thing – look after your body, guys.
“We’ll move on, but yes, some very dark days in there – but we pulled out of it, thankfully.”
Jordan was a legend in his field and although he never drove in F1, he did race in F2, F3 and Formula Atlantic, as well as 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1981.
Ten years later he did finally make it to F1 with his Jordan Grand Prix team, and gave Michael Schumacher his F1 debut in 1991.
Jordan Grand Prix raced in F1 until 2005, and achieved its best ever result in 1998 when Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher finished first and second at the Belgian Grand Prix.
The team was sold in 2005 and rebranded as MF1 Racing a year later before becoming Force India and later Racing Point and now Aston Martin.
Jordan returned to F1 in 2009 as a pundit for BBC Sport’s Grand Prix and later joined Channel 4 in 2016.
He had also been a regular pundit on Sky Sports over the years.
He was awarded an honorary OBE by Her Majesty The Queen in recognition of his services to charity and motor racing in 2012.
In 2016 he joined the cast of presenters on Top Gear, who at the time included Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc.
Speaking in mid-October about his health, the multi-millionaire revealed that he underwent tests as part of taking part in a cycling event in South Africa earlier in the year.
He said: “At 76 I did the Argus [Cape Town Cycle Tour], and then you get a bit of a bang, and then you suddenly feel that you’re not 100 per cent.
“You go to the doctor, and then you get this illness. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, and I urge everybody to be able to stand the fight, because it’s worth it.
“I’m coming out the other side, everyone else should come out the other side. The prognosis is absolutely fantastic.
“The medical awareness of what’s going on at the moment is quite simply mind-boggling – and so there should be every opportunity to avail of that medical help.”
Jordan leaves his wife, Marie and children Zoe, Miki, Zak and Kyle.
GettyHe had his own racing career in the 70’s after discovering a love of motorsport[/caption]
GettyJordan celebrates success at the Belgian Grand Prix[/caption]
Sailing enthusiast has circumnavigated the world thanks his love of boatsRex Features
GettyJordan was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer earlier this year[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
