Gladiators: Belfast woman fulfils 'childhood dream' competing on show

Tuathlaith Murtagh is a personal trainer from Northern Ireland

A Belfast woman has said it was "a childhood dream come true" to compete on the reboot of the iconic '90s favourite TV show, Gladiators.

The BBC show sees people from across the UK compete against 'Gladiators' in a variety of sporty challenges.

Tuathlaith Murtagh admits she was slightly nervous entering the arena in front of thousands of screaming fans, but absolutely loved the experience.

She said she has never been one to shy away from physical challenges.

The 30 year old, who works as a personal trainer, said she has always been very competitive and loves to push herself physically every single day.

The new series, co-hosted by father and son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh, is filmed at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield and has been watched by millions since it launched back in January.

Gladiator, you will go on my second whistle

The revamped series follows a similar format to its predecessor with a high-octane mix of entertainment and athleticism.

The show sees players, known as 'contenders' competing in a series of physically challenging events against the show's resident muscle-bound 'Gladiators'.

Some of the challenges include 'Duel' - where players stand on small platforms and have to knock each other off using sticks - 'Hang Tough', 'Powerball', 'The Wall' and the super-tough 'Eliminator'.

To match the intensity of the challenges, the Gladiators have been given high-octane names: Apollo, Athena, Bionic, Comet, Diamond, Dynamite, Electro, Fire, Fury, Giant, Legend, Nitro, Phantom, Sabre, Steel and Viper.

Their goal - in rather uncomfortable looking costumes - is to essentially do everything in their power to stop contenders from winning.

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Tuathlaith said pitting herself against Gladiators "who are at the very top of their game" was quite a daunting experience but one she thoroughly enjoyed.

Tuathlaith says the Gladiators she was up against on the show were huge

"I am obviously really into fitness so doing something like this against the Gladiators was just amazing," she said.

"I was addicted to the original series growing up and was always told off when it came on TV because I used to sit so close to the screen.

"It really was a childhood dream come true to actually be on the show."

Tuathlaith is no stranger to putting her body through some pain; she has been involved in a number of charity fitness challenges over the years.

One being a mammoth cycle from Mizen Head in County Cork to Malin Head in County Donegal - a trek stretching from the bottom of the island of Ireland to the top.

She said the challenges on Gladiators are physically demanding and also require a great amount of mental fortitude to complete, but said she was very proud of her performance on the show.

You would think after taking on the mighty Gladiators, Tuathlaith would be looking at some well-earned down time, but she is already planning on future fitness challenges.

The contender, who is also a fitness coach with Belfast Ravens women's football team, admits topping the starry heights of Gladiators will be tricky, but said she has never been one to "slow down".

She has rented out a venue in Belfast with big screens to watch her performance - which is set to air on Saturday on BBC One at 17:50 GMT - with friends and family.

Despite already knowing the outcome, Tuathlaith said she will likely be jumping up and down and screaming just as loudly along with everyone else as she watches her performance back.

Gladiators airs on Saturday evenings on BBC One. Catch up on BBC iPlayer.