Gladiator drops in on pupils for Children in Need

Pudsey and Gladiator Steel visited children at Borden primary school

Pupils at a school in Kent have welcomed a very special guest in advance of Children in Need.

Steel, from the TV show Gladiators, dropped in on Borden Church of England Primary, near Sittingbourne, as part of a nationwide tour.

The Gladiator, whose real name is Zack George, held a movement masterclass in assembly and encouraged children to "be confident, eat healthily and regularly exercise".

Steel, who is travelling around the country accompanied by Pudsey Bear, said "we're giving back to schools by giving a motivational talk about how to become a Gladiator".

Gladiator Steel said he used to be overweight as a child and now hopes to inspire others

A new series of Gladiators has already been filmed and will return to Saturday evenings on BBC 1 in the new year.

Steel watched the original programme in the 1990s when he was a child and was inspired to start his own fitness journey.

He said: "When I was a kid I didn't like my size, didn't eat healthily at all and had low confidence, low self-esteem.

"I want to prove to all the kids in the UK that anything is possible as long as you dedicate your time towards it and work hard."

School CEO David Whitehead says pupils and staff had a day to remember

David Whitehead, CEO of Our Community Multi Academy Trust, said children and staff have "had a day that they will remember for the rest of their lives".

Pupil Ivy enjoyed the special day and said she was looking forward to the school's Children in Need no school uniform event on Friday.

She said: “It’s good that we’re raising money for children who may not have what we have.”

Her friend Mila said: “It’s the best day in the world ever.”