Londoner Emily Bell crowned Gladiators champion

A woman from south London has been crowned Gladiators Champion 2026.

The high-energy sports entertainment show has seen contenders being pursued around the arena inside massive metal spheres and enduring some heavy hits in Powerball, over the last 11 weeks.

And following the Grand Final on Saturday, Emily Bell, 23, from Croydon beat Naomi Church to pick up the trophy. They were the youngest and oldest contenders in the tournament.

She said after winning the women's competition: "What on earth has just happened? I don't think I will fully comprehend for a long time what I've accomplished and what I've overcome both physically and mentally to hold this - heavy - trophy in my hands."

Emily, a Cambridge graduate who works in marketing and plays rugby for the London Broncos, said one of the things she had learnt during the competition was to "back herself".

"I often get told by family and friends that I need to 'back myself' more. It's much easier said than done," she said.

"But this whole experience, even just getting here - let alone winning the whole thing - is a lifelong and constant reminder to myself about what I can accomplish, even when terrified!

"Note to self: Back yourself, Emily."

• Watch Gladiators on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist

She had previously told BBC London it had "just been so fun to rep the flag of south London, of Croydon".

For Emily, being from Croydon and having the area's support had been an important part of the journey.

"I just love the community," she said.

"Community is important, sometimes it does lack, especially in big cities, so it's been really nice now to bring community together."

Emily said her mother had been fairly instrumental in making sure all of Croydon knows that she's on Gladiators.

"My mum will tell a rando in the supermarket, and then they're invested, and they'll tell someone else, and they'll tell someone else and that little chain of supporters and community grows, and oh, I just love it."

Josh McDonald won the men's competition.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk