Contenders, ready? The Gladiators are definitely ready as the iconic '90s battle royale returns to British screens this weekend.
Each week, plucky members of the public will take on the elite gang of athletes in a series of physical challenges with the hopes of outperforming the very best.
But who are the Gladiators of 2024? Read on for a full profile of Diamond...
© BBC
Diamond
From: Worcestershire
Height: 6' / 182cm
Bicep: 36cm
Key Skills: Determination, power and her big heart
Gladiator Boast: Can squat 120kg
What made you want to become a Gladiator?
"I've always wanted to inspire others to embrace their uniqueness, and encourage people to not hide away, and go for what you want. I was always the girl who played football with the boys and was seen as a bit of an outcast. I wanted to show younger girls that you can be a badass, but remain feminine and girly at the same time. So, in essence, I wanted to become a Gladiator to inspire, really... and to kick ass, obviously!"
How did you find competing in front of a live audience?
"It was amazing to see and experience the support from the audience; the posters and the banners in the crowds was lovely to see, especially when you realise that its little kids holding up homemade banners – to see all that love and support was really just is incredible. We fed off the crowd when we performed. It didn't matter whether the crowd was booing or cheering, the audience created the atmosphere that really brought out the best side of our Gladiators.
"You can expect to see the classic foam fingers, you can expect to hear lots of chanting; those key elements that everyone loved in the previous 90s show definitely makes an appearance this time round, and I think the viewers are going to absolutely love that.
"There was also a lot of love for Diamond, which was great to experience, but there was also the occasional boo. You'll have to watch the show to find out why..."
Gladiators begins Saturday, January 13 at 5.50pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Neil Wilkes
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