The BBC’s reboot of hit British TV series Gladiators is now only days away after it was last aired on ITV in 2000.

The ultimate sports gameshow was first broadcast in 1992 and lasted for eight series (not to mention its many specials).

But among the 16 new “superhumans”, one Gladiator from West Yorkshire is hoping to show off her speed and strength.

Who is Fury? The first ever deaf BBC Gladiator

Fury (Jodie Ounsley) is a professional Exeter Chiefs rugby player, according to the Gladiators website.

The name ‘Fury’ comes from her “power and passion for competition.”

She is also a former England Women's Rugby Seven's player, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu British Champion and five times World Coal Carrying champion.

Jodie won the title of Deaf Sports Personality of The Year in 2020.

Who is BBC Gladiator Fury’s famous dad?

The Gladiators website explains: “Jodie has Gladiators in her blood, her father was a contender on the show in 2008, and she has been training to outdo him ever since.

“When she was younger she even dressed up as a Gladiator and practiced the games in her living room.”

Commenting on why she decided to become a Gladiator, Jodie added: “The biggest reason is because my dad was a contender in a previous series, so Gladiators has been a big part of our family since I was little.

“I loved watching how physical the Gladiators were but then I also loved watching my dad go through the process as well, so he’s clearly been a massive influence and it's pretty cool that I can do it too.”

When it came to revealing what games played to her strengths during the show, she said: “I absolutely loved The Ring. It is one of the new games and it is a dream come true for me. It plays to my strengths, as you get to tackle the contenders.

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“All the contender has to do is run past me and touch the button in the middle. I'm used to people using footwork to literally step and try and get past me, but going up against the contenders, they were just going directly at me and as a tackler that’s easy.”

When does Gladiators start on BBC?

The series which was filmed in Sheffield last year, will launch on BBC One on January 13 at 5.50pm and be available to rewatch on BBC iPlayer.

The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh and his son Barney will host the 11-episode series, which will see the Gladiators take on contenders in new and old games, culminating with classic challenge The Eliminator.

As well as bodybuilders, among the Gladiators line-up are Olympians and weightlifting champions.