Latest news with #Zavia
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Viewers 'gutted' to see Gladiators contender miss out on final
The Gladiators returned tonight (April 12) for the final episode of the 2025 series and viewers were sad to see a contender miss out on the final. Amanda, Aneila, Mus and Joe will battle it out for the two trophies but only one male and one female get to take them home. Contender Zavia made a short appearance at the start of tonight's episode to share she wouldn't be able to compete after suffering a leg injury. Viewers have shared their sadness at Zavia not competing. Aneila takes her place as the fastest female runner-up. After last week's performance, Zavia took to Instagram to say: 'The game that took me out … I WAS DEVASTATED when I felt my leg go but I finally got the diamond carry! 'Silver linings and all that. THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the support 'I've had the time of my life and happy for Aneila and Amanda to go on to the final. They are both amazing and even though I'm sad I won't get to be in the last show, I'm happy that I made it and now I get to watch my mates from the front row. 'Thank you again everyone and good luck to the finalists'. Ahead of the final, fans shared their excitement with one taking to X to say: 'So excited for The Gladiators final tonight!!!' Another said: '#Gladiators final time!!' Recommended reading: Gladiators viewers share same complaint just minutes into semi-final Gladiators star makes shock announcement as he's ruled out of series with injury How to apply for Gladiators as BBC hunts for 'bravest' contenders for series 3 Viewers of Gladiators, which is filmed in Sheffield, sent their love to Zavia after missing out on the big stage. One shared to X: 'Poor Zavier #Gladiators'. Another commented: 'Wishing Zavia a speedy recovery & we're gutted that she's unable to compete tonight. #Gladiators'. A third said they were 'sad for Xavia' but pleased she got a hug from hosts Brad and Barney.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gladiators contestant 'devastated' as injury forces them to withdraw from final
A contestant has been forced to withdraw from the Gladiators grand final after sustaining a leg injury during the second semi-final. Zavia Hill, a personal trainer from Manchester, was hit during one of the games on the BBC show's semi-final, and at first it seemed like she would continue. She was treated by a physiotherapist backstage and made it to The Eliminator, taking home the win. But Zavia has now been forced to withdraw from next Saturday's (April 12) grand final. Her place will be taken by the fastest female runner-up from the semi-finals, Aneila Afsar, a supply teacher also from Manchester. Aneila Afsar will replace Zavia Hill in the 2025 Gladiators grand final. (Image: BBC/David MacCormack/Hungry Bear Media Ltd/PA Wire) Zavia said: 'Reaching the final felt special, I usually give up when I feel like I've failed. 'After injuring my leg in the Gauntlet, I convinced myself I was out. But at the start of the Eliminator, I thought, not this time. Give it your all, girl.' She also said that during the Gauntlet game, where Gladiators try to prevent contenders passing with the aide of power-pads, she 'knew my time on the show was probably over, I was devastated'. 'I got very emotional after I realised I'd hurt my leg as bad as I did,' Zavia added. 'When I got home and the adrenaline had worn off, I realised I could hardly move my leg but on the plus side, I got to watch the final from the front row and cheer both of my friends on.' Aneila said reaching the final was 'bittersweet' adding: 'Anyone who's been following the show knows how badly I wanted to make it to the final, but this isn't the way I wanted to get there. "At the same time, I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity and so excited for what's ahead.' She also called Zavia 'an incredible contender and an even better person". "It's an honour to represent her and I'll actually be wearing some of her gems in the final," she added. She continued: 'Winning Gladiators would be amazing. I'm a competitive person and a former pro-athlete so I'm always in it to win it. 'But honestly, just getting here is huge. I've already broken so many barriers as the first Muslim woman on the show, and now being in the final is incredible. 'I know that my presence alone will have a positive impact on Muslim women, and that means everything to me.' She will face Warrington gym owner Amanda Wah on the women's side of the draw in the Gladiators grand final. While Scarborough-born gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn and east London youth worker Mus Dumbuya will go head-to-head in the men's final. Army officer Finlay Anderson and personal trainer Marie-Louise Nicholson were crowned Gladiators Champions in 2024. RECOMMENDED READING: Gladiators star makes shock announcement as he's ruled out of series with injury 'Gutted' Gladiators fans say 'series ruined' as star forced to pull out of show How to apply for Gladiators as BBC hunts for 'bravest' contenders for series 3 Hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh as well as the Gladiators will return for the series two final on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next Saturday (April 12). Gladiators: Grand Final will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next Saturday (April 12) at 5.50pm.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gladiator fans concerned for 'battered' contestant after suffering injuries
During tonight's semi final of Gladiators (April 5), fans were concerned for one contestant following her numerous injuries. In the women's contest, it was a Manchester "showdown" between Zavia and Aneila. But as Zavia took on Powerball with Gladiator favourite Fire, she ended up winding herself moments into the game. After referee Mark Clattenburg paused the game to make sure she was well enough to carry on, Zavia soon ended up falling to the floor again with Fire landing on top of her. It's the 2nd Semi-Final on #Gladiators! Let us know your: ⭐️ Favourite Moment? 💪 Gladiator of the Week? 🏆 Contender of the Week? 📊 Episode Rating (Out of 10) — Gladiators (@GladiatorsTV) April 5, 2025 As she went to escape the hold of the Gladiator, she twisted her knee but was determined to carry on. At the end of the game, although she was in high spirits, Zavia told host Bradley Walsh she felt "battered". However, ahead of the Eliminator, fans of the BBC game show seemed to be concerned about Zavia, as they took to X to share their thoughts throughout the episode. One commented: "#gladiators feel sorry for Zavia as she is going to struggle if she continues now she is injured." Another said: "#gladiators if she's that uncomfortable why does she not receive medical attention? She's gonna end up not being able to do eliminator." "Shouldn't be allowed to continue with dodgy knee #gladiators," shared this account. Someone who was rooting for Zavia wrote: "Poor Zavia, she's really injured but keeps carrying on! #Gladiators." This user also posted in support: "Zavia possibly injured?! In the semi final. But the way she kept going. Good on her., #gladiators." One viewer complimented: "Zavia is made of iron #Gladiators." In the end, after a few limps, Zavia conquered the Eliminator and made it to the final of Gladiators 2025, beating her contestant and fellow Manchester resident Aneila. Gladiator star Fire, whose real name is Montell Douglas, recently shared she and her fellow athletes were 'put through the wringer' when being selected for the reboot of the hit game show. When asked how they became Gladiators at Advertising Week Europe 2025, Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey), a former Olympic sprinter, told the event in central London earlier this week: "They were looking for genuine, real-life superheroes. 'They found us with the help of social media and once that process started it was just one of those things that made sense… it was a bit of a no-brainer.' Recommended reading: Gladiators viewers share same complaint just minutes into semi-final How to apply for Gladiators as BBC hunts for 'bravest' contenders for series 3 Gladiators star makes shock announcement as he's ruled out of series with injury Douglas added: 'They did put us through the wringer, don't get it twisted guys. 'When people ask 'what did you do to be a Gladiator', I'm like 20 years of my life, dedication. 'You have to have a lot of heart and grit which I think we all have.'
