Where are the Gladiators now?

Iconic TV show Gladiators is set to make a grand return to screens this year with a BBC reboot, 30 years after it first aired.

And as the series prepares for a return, show legend Jet, real name Diane Youdale, revealed on Wednesday that she’s preparing for a new chapter in life as she’s engaged to her girlfriend Zoe.

On the original Gladiators, members of the public battled it out against the show’s cast, which consisted of a group of bodybuilders and gymnasts. 

With excitement building over the BBC show, which is set to be filmed at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena for an 11-episode series, it’s hard not to remember the original stars that made Gladiators a much-loved TV staple for millions of fans.

Attracting over 14 million viewers, the cast of the original ITV show quickly became household names – but where are they now?

Iconic: Gladiators was watched by over 14 million viewers and was hosted by Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu as well as featuring gruff referee John Anderson – so where are they all now?

Wow: Show legend Jet, real name Diane Youdale (left, on the show) revealed on Wednesday that she’s preparing for a new chapter in life as she’s engaged to her girlfriend Zoe (far right)

Jet: Diane Youdale

Age: 53 

Now: Since her time on Gladiators, Diane has remained on views’ TV screens and radio airwaves, presenting on BBC Tees and featuring on BBC shows like Look North and Inside Out.

Diane started out with a career in gymnastics and dance, before rising to stardom on Gladiators, but was later forced to take up presenting and acting after injuring herself during the show’s live event held at Wembley Arena in 1996. 

She then went on to become a PE teaching assistant, before training as a psychotherapist.

Diane hit the headlines again this week when she revealed she’s engaged. 

The former athlete said on the Chillin’ with Ice podcast: ‘Just over a year ago, a gorgeous lady approached me in my local supermarket and over a year later, we’re going to get married’.

With a huge smile on her face she said: ‘We are what we are. It doesn’t matter. And I don’t give a damn.’

Diane admitted that she had previously been ‘put off relationships for life’ after moving to the North of England for a partner only for it to end badly.

She told podcast host Lori Fetrick, who played Ice in American Gladiators: ‘I’m safe and I’m loved and there’s no threat to me anymore and that’s what means the world to me.’ 

Diane had previously been in a relationship with former Gladiators co-star Hunter, James Crossley. 

On the show: Diane sustained a serious neck injury after falling from the Pyramid on the show, then taking the decision to leave in 1996. 

She previously said: ‘I was beginning to see more spinal injuries. You can damage your ankle or your knee and it will recover, but breaking your neck – that’s a different story.

‘After my accident, I decided to quit while I could. I decided it wasn’t worth it any more. I wanted to leave while I could still walk out of the studio.’

Fun facts: With 20 years in psychology behind her, Diane landed herself a regular slot on Big Brother’s Bit On The Side and analysing the housemates.

Falcon: Bernadette Hunt

Sad news: Gladiators legend Falcon – real name Bernadette Hunt – died in March at the age of 59 after being diagnosed with cancer

In March Gladiators legend Falcon whose real name was Bernadette Hunt died aged 59 after battling cancer for ‘a number of years’.

The star appeared on the iconic show from its second series in 1993 and remained an integral part of the programme until it ended.

Bernadette’s death was announced by her sister Carol’s partner Rick Jango in a statement on social media, as she paid tribute to one of ‘the loveliest people’ he knew.

In the tribute, he said: ‘I had the privilege to be in her company a few times and I have to say she was one of the most loveliest people I have ever met.

‘She never had a bad word to say about anyone, indeed she was always known as the nicest Gladiator, always stopping to speak and sign autographs for anyone.

The Gladiators Instagram page honoured the star with a sweet tribute, writing: ‘Many fans will remember Falcon as the most lovely, warm, generous person with a beaming smile! Our Gladiator family is truly heartbroken with our loss of Bernie.’

Following her time on the show, Bernadette retreated from the spotlight and worked as a personal trainer.

Speaking about life after Gladiators, Bernadette previously told the Basingstoke Gazette: ‘I’m very happy with the work I do now and am always busy. My time is spent as a personal trainer and with my children Adam, 23, and Angel, 4.’

She also starred on International Gladiators between 1994 and 1995.

Before starting out as a bodybuilder, Bernadette was accepted into the London Contemporary Ballet School at the age of 18.

However her dreams of becoming a ballet dancer were crushed when she suffered a back injury which put a stop to her plans.

After beginning her bodybuilding journey, Bernadette won the first competition she entered, Miss Natural Health in 1992.

She went on to win other titles including Miss Novice Britain, Miss London and Home Countries 1992 and Miss South Britain.

Referee: John Anderson

Keeping them in check: John had been the show’s iconic referee and personally trained the gladiators on the show

Name: John Anderson

Age: 91

Occupation: John has continued to mentor and coach athletic stars in his later years, first starting out as a trainer prior to appearing on Gladiators.

He previously worked as a teacher and coach for Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games athletes.

The TV personality celebrated turning 91 in November with his nearest and dearest. 

In 2015, John suffered a heart attack while out walking his dog, but didn’t even notice for almost two weeks.

In an interview with the Herald a year later, he shared: ‘I was walking the dog last June and felt a slightly odd sensation in my right chest.

‘After 10 days – still on the bike and in the gym, walking the dog and mowing the lawn – my wife, Dorothy, insisted I see the doctor. They said I’d had a heart attack. They stuck some stents and I am fine.’

On the show: ‘Talking about his co-stars on the show, he has said: ‘They were very good, they were professionals. They did everything very well, they were easy to work with. I was delighted to work with them’.

Gladiators history: John joined the show when it first launched in 1992 and stayed with it until it wrapped in 2000. He reprised his role as referee back in 2008 when the show briefly returned.

Fun facts: John has trained an Olympian at every summer games between 1964 and 2000. He has also enjoyed success as a footballer and played for Scotland

Hunter: James Crossley 

Trainer: James spoke to MailOnline recently about how he has turned his skills to yoga in a bid to age ‘pain free’, while his girlfriend is also a yoga teacher

Name: James Crossley

Age: 49 

Occupation: James is a Strength & Conditioning Coach and Gong Practitioner, often sharing an insight into his healthy lifestyle via social media.

In 2021, he spoke to MailOnline about how he has turned his skills to yoga in a bid to age ‘pain free’, while his girlfriend Arianna is also a yoga teacher.

James previously dated TV personality Dr. Zoe Williams, who often appears on daytime shows such as This Morning. While he also had a romance with Ulrika Jonsson.

While he is currently working in the sports industry, James dabbled in acting following his time in Gladiators. He most recently appeared on Channel 4’s The Circle.

The TV star has his own James Crossley coaching website to help people get fitter, as well as his yoga and gong bath practices.

Comparing his fitness now to when he starred on Gladiators in the 90s, James admitted that it is ‘very different’.

He said: ‘When I did Gladiators I was a machine. I was training twice a day, once with the weights, once with the events training, because the thing with Gladiators is all the events are very unique. My absolute fittest would have been in my late 20s.’

On Gladiators: ‘Discussing his time on the show, he said: ‘The first year I joined I couldn’t do anything – I locked myself away for a year to get better. You can be muscular and look good but it doesn’t mean you can climb those walls.’ 

Fun facts: James dated the show’s host Ulrika Jonsson, but the pair remained coy on their romance, until she uncovered all in her 2003 autobiography. 

He also enjoyed a romance with Jet (Diane Youdale) during their time on the show.

Host: Ulrika Jonsson

Leading lady:  Ulrika was a former TV-AM weather presenter before finding fame as co-host of Gladiators alongside John Fashanu back in 1992

Name: Ulrika Jonsson

Age: 55 

Occupation: Ulrika was a former TV-AM weather presenter before finding fame as co-host of Gladiators alongside John Fashanu back in 1992. 

She went on to become the team captain of the BBC show Shooting Stars in 1995 and has since gone on to become a stable in British television.

The Swedish-born star has appeared on several TV shows including Dancing On Ice, Celebrity Big Brother, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and Celebs Go Dating. 

Ulrika often hits the headlines, whether it be posting racy snaps to Instagram or speaking her mind in her newspaper column.

Fun fact: Ulrika famously dated Gladiator James Crossley aka Hunter. Speaking of the romance on Vicky Patterson’s The Secret To podcast, she said: ‘Obviously I dated Hunter for about a year and a half and away from the show. He was amazing and the sweetest, sweetest man. He was only 22 when I think when I got together with him. Poor boy.’

Panther: Helen O’Reilly 

Helping others: Helen now has her own gym in Uxbridge, London, where she preps other girls and travels all across the globe judging bikini girls

Name: Helen O’Reilly aka Panther

Age: 61 

Now: Helen, who runs Panthers Gym in Uxbridge, said in a recent interview with a Gladiator’s fan site: ‘I think I’ve changed quite a lot… most people don’t recognise me… age, hair, colour change and of course I don’t wear the trademark Panther Lycra anymore!’

Helen is a champion bodybuilder and became one of Britain’s best, with a number of accolades to her name including Miss Central Britain, Miss Europe, Miss Great Britain, Miss Russia and Miss Universe. 

On Gladiators: ‘It was great, it inspired so many people to get into sport, to be able to be strong and feminine at the same time. We still get messages today, 25 years later, of people still being inspired to go to the gym.’ 

Fun facts: She now has her own gym in Uxbridge, London, where she preps other girls and travels all across the globe judging bikini girls, fitness girls and men’s physique and body building.

Cobra: Michael Willson

Artist: A few years ago, Michael admitted during a piece in the The Guardian that he was often drunk on the show

Name: Michael Willson aka Cobra

Age: 59

Now: Now living in the West Midlands, Michael spends his time making watercolour paintings. He also travels to schools and youth clubs up and down the UK, promoting that keeping fit can be fun. 

A few years ago, Michael admitted during a piece in the The Guardian that he was often drunk on the show. 

He said: ‘I remember looking at The Wall and thinking, ‘I’ve got to chase this guy up it and I’m bleeding drunk’.

 ‘We never had to drive anywhere, we had hospitality twice a day so there would be wine and booze and stuff flowing. Ironically, I never used to drink a drop before I joined Gladiators.’ 

Gladiator history: Thanks to his quick-thinking and agility he became a master of the Hang Tough ring and was also the best Duel podium contender having never been knocked off. He became a fan-favourite Gladiator alongside the likes of Shadow, Wolf, Jet, Lightning and Hunter.

Fun fact: Proving that good things can come in small packages, Cobra – whose real name is Michael Wilson – didn’t let his tiny height get in the way of victory. 

Leer la nota Completa > Where are the Gladiators now?