Hertfordshire: Gladiators star Comet opens up on injury

Ella-Mae Rayner is a Hertfordshire-born former cheerleader and gymnastics coach, known as Comet in the series.

The 28-year-old broke her right ankle and foot in multiple places, dislocated a bone and ruptured three ligaments, spending three months recovering after multiple surgeries.

"I think it goes to show how tough it is - even the professional athletes get hurt as well," she said.

"You can train as much as you want, but you can't set that Gladiators' set up in your garden, you can't replicate it.

"When do you get to do stuff like Hang Tough? You never get to do that stuff. We're big kids, it's a playground."

Ella-Mae (second left) broke her ankle during filming. (Image: PA Images/PA Wire)

Thankfully, Ella-Mae is back on her feet and training again. Despite her injury, she said she was "genuinely so happy" to be part of the series.

She did admitted that filming the show can be daunting, adding: "It's a lot scarier when you're there, and then the added pressure of the crowd with your family in there watching you as well."

Ella-Mae, who was inspired by Jet in the 1990s show, hopes she can show more women what they can do, continuing: "A lot of females don't get into fitness or weight train because they don't want to look bulky or look like a man.

"I just wanted to eradicate that stigma and say, you can still look feminine and be feminine and look strong as hell."

The new show is the second revival of the 1990s classic of the same name, with the 11-part series airing Saturdays on BBC One, and hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son, Barney.