Diane Youdale, 49, rose to fame on the ITV show Gladiators in the early 90s. But the fitness instructor was forced to leave the show in 1996 due to spinal injuries.
The 90s icon has now opened up about the game show making a comeback but admitted it was not uncommon for both contenders and contestants to obtain injuries during the trials on the programme.
Fans of the TV phenomenon will recall contestants had to battle the mighty Gladiators in a series of physical challenges on the show, which first aired in 1992.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, Diane revealed she would hope to see Gladiators return for their 30 year anniversary.
She explained: “Absolutely [would love to see Gladiators return]. I am full of hope that in two years time when the show is 30 years old. Hopefully, it will come back in some way, shape or form.
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“I guess, for me and for the other Gladiators and anybody else coming through, including the new Gladiators, it’s all about health and safety.”
Diane explained after she suffered her neck injury she had no choice but to depart the programme.
The Jet star added it was commonplace for both the Gladiator favourites and the contenders to sustain injuries due to the physicality of the show.
“Because there were so many injuries,” Diane explained. “That’s the sad thing. Equally for both contenders and contestants.”
She continued: “And once you have a spinal injury, your life is never the same again. You re-adapt but in the name of entertainment I think to be made safe then it’d be great to have the show back. I do love it.”
However, the Gladiators favourite admitted fans should not expect to see her sporting her two-piece outfit anytime soon.
Diane chuckled: “Don’t ask me if I’ m going to get back in my costume and be a Gladiator again.”
Gladiators first debuted on ITV in 1992 and was hosted by Ulrika Johnson and John Fashanu – being watched by 14 million viewers.
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The hit show ran until 2000 and was briefly rebooted by Sky One in 2008.
The programme saw four contestants – two male and two female – compete in a series of physical events against the show’s “Gladiators”.
The contestants would aim to secure a place in the grand final and be crowned champion for their respective series.
After Diane was forced to leave the show in 1996 she later trained to be a fitness instructor and psychotherapist.
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She has now teamed up with Lumen, a dating app for the over-50s, to help them reach their fitness goals.
Speaking about their collaboration, Diane explained: “I’m turning 50 this month and I was around when we did the 80s and 90s fitness aerobics, step aerobics. You name it we were doing it even then.
“This time around I was like, ‘Oh gosh it’s like a flashback.’ Anybody in their fifth decade like me, if they want to go and start dating again after a failed marriage or the end of a relationship.”
She added: “It’s about getting that confidence back. But I thought you know what if I can be a part of that and do my fitness teaching, then you can count me in.”
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