Gladiators star Comet says injury proves show is tough

Ella-Mae Rayner's first job was a gymnastics coach at the age of 14

An athlete in the new series of Gladiators said an injury she sustained while filming proved how tough the show is.

Comet, real name Ella-Mae Rayner, was born and raised in Hertfordshire.

The 28-year-old former cheerleader broke her right ankle and foot in multiple places, dislocated a bone and ruptured three ligaments.

"I think it goes to show how tough it is - even the professional athletes get hurt as well," she said.

The star spent three months recovering from the injury after surgeries to correct the damage.

Ms Rayner said: "You can train as much as you want, but you can't set that [Gladiators' set] up in your garden, you can't replicate it."

Comet made a full recovery after surgery and physio

The athlete praised her physio and surgeons, and added "the support around me has been incredible".

She was now back on her feet and "training how I pretty much was before the show".

Despite her experience, the Gladiator said all the athletes involved were "genuinely so happy to be there and for the contenders to go up against us".

"When do you get to do stuff like Hang Tough? You never get to do that stuff... We're big kids, it's a playground," she said.

Ms Rayner, who has competed as a professional gymnast and diver, admitted taking part in the show was more daunting that viewers might think.

She said: "It's a lot scarier when you're there, and then the added pressure of the crowd with your family in there watching you as well."

Ella-Mae Rayner said taking part in the show was fun, tough and scary

The first episode of Gladiators on BBC One was watched by six million viewers

Ms Rayner, who was inspired by Jet in the 1990s show, hopes she can "show women what they are capable of".

She said: "A lot of females don't get into fitness or weight train because they don't want to look bulky or look like a man.

"I just wanted to eradicate that stigma and say, you can still look feminine and be feminine and look strong as hell."

The second episode of Gladiators returns to BBC One on Saturday at 17:50 GMT, or it can be watched on BBC iPlayer.