'Gladiators gave me a platform to inspire others'

The reigning Gladiators men's champion has said his proudest achievement is showing that youngsters with unconventional childhoods can fulfill their dreams.

Team GB gymnast Joe Fishburn, who won the 2025 series of the show, grew up with grandmother Christine after his mother died, and said he "did not have a father figure".

Speaking ahead of the challenge show's return later, Joe said the win had given him a "small platform" to inspire others.

The 24-year-old from Scarborough said: "It was such an incredible opportunity - I've got contender envy."

Joe still coaches at Scarborough Gymnastics Academy and runs online fitness classes.

He said: "I feel like I'm still in a bubble.

"I filmed it a year ago and it came out, since then I've had incredible opportunities that maybe have inspired people and showed adversity does not define them.

"I wanted to share that if someone has a different start to life it doesn't mean they can't do something and to show gymnasts anything is possible."

Joe is now an ambassador for the Kinship charity, which supports carers and guardians.

He said his success had "brought the gymnastics community together", adding grandma Christine was his biggest fan.

Asked if he would like to become a Gladiator himself, Joe said: "I can't pretend I have not thought about it.

"I would like to be called Gravity - so I can defy it."

Meanwhile the show's commentator Guy Mowbray said this year's series was "particularly brutal" with "lot of spills and thrills".

He added: "There is also a new game called Destruction, with equipment as heavy as a car engine... pure exhilaration."

Gladiators returns on BBC One and iPlayer at17:45 GMT.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.