Gladiators: Sheffield finalist Bronte Jones 'overwhelmed' by support

Bronte Jones was the first female contestant to secure a place in the final of Gladiators

Gladiators contestant Bronte Jones said he had been "overwhelmed" by the support she has received on her run to the final.

The firefighter booked her place in the season finale after battling through five challenges and pipping her rival, Betti Worth, to the post in the final event, The Eliminator, on Saturday.

"I still can't believe it, " she told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"I never expected to get this far, I just thought I'll try my best."

Ms Jones, who works for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said the reaction to her success had been "incredible".

"Every time I look on social media it's so overwhelming, because there's so many people supporting me," she said.

"Random stuff like I get tagged in people's Instagram, little kids screaming my name, and I just think, 'oh my gosh'. It's just incredible really."

Bronte Jones (left) and her family held a private screening of the semi-final at Dore & Totley Golf Club

However, the 23-year-old, whose semi-final saw her take on events including The Wall and Powerball, said it was not the challenge of the Gladiators that filled her with fear but being in the public eye.

"More than the games, the hardest part is being in front of the camera all the time," she said.

"It's something I'm not used to at all."

Despite storming her way through The Gauntlet - when contestants race against the clock to force their way past four ramrod wielding Gladiators - in just 11 seconds, Ms Jones said Duel was her favourite event.

"It's such an iconic game, I love that one," she said.

Following her success, viewers will have to wait till 23 March to find out her opponent in the final after the next episode was delayed by a week due to the FA Cup clash between Manchester City and Newcastle.

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