Injured Gladiators Athena and Diamond make triumphant return for the show’s live tour after filming for the new series was plunged into chaos by a string of health scares

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Fans were thrilled on Saturday when Gladiators Athena and Diamond unexpectedly returned to the arena during the live tour, even though they had previously withdrawn due to injuries.

Two of the show’s popular stars were injured while filming the next season of the BBC series, which is scheduled to premiere in January 2026. A total of four favorites suffered injuries during the shoot.

Even though their Gladiators tour was starting at London’s O2 Arena, the duo still took the time to take photos with their fans.

Although Athena and Diamond couldn’t compete in the popular challenges, they did address the large crowd of 12,500 people, promising to return to the arena soon.

Hey everyone, it’s me, Livi – most of you know me as Diamond! I just wanted to let you all know I’m feeling much better, and to spread a little positivity, I walked everyone through my signature ‘Shine Like a Diamond’ pose. It’s all about finding your inner sparkle and radiating confidence!

Athena, also known as Karenjeet Kaur Bains, addressed the crowd, saying that every challenge is an opportunity for a triumphant return, and her own story would be truly remarkable.

Hey everyone, I wanted to share what happened with my filming for Gladiators. Unfortunately, I had to pull out of the main show in Sheffield after a knee injury on set. It turned out to be a pretty significant one – I actually ruptured both my ACL and MCL. It was a tough break, but I’m focusing on recovery now!

Livi shared some personal news on Instagram, saying she had an update to share but unfortunately, it wasn’t good news.

While filming the show Gladiators, I severely injured my knee, tearing both my ACL and MCL. I went from performing stunts one moment to needing surgery and beginning a long recovery the next.

Taking a break from something I’m passionate about is always hard, but this isn’t a final goodbye – just a temporary change of plans. I’ve faced challenges before and always bounced back, and I’m confident I’ll do the same this time.

I’m going to need a lot of support, and I want to share my experiences with you as I go. If sharing what I’m going through can help just one other person deal with their own difficulties, it will make everything worthwhile.

Now that my surgery is over, I’m fully committed to rehab and determined to give it my all. To me, being strong isn’t just about physical power—it’s about bouncing back after setbacks.

With every action I take, I’m working towards a powerful return – a defining moment that will shape who I am. It’s not about falling down; it’s about how you rise again.

Last year’s revival of Gladiators was incredibly popular, leading to a celebrity version featuring both comedians and fitness enthusiasts.

This year’s contestants are particularly strong and have a real chance of beating the Gladiators.

According to The Sun, model Vogue Williams will be appearing on the show alongside fitness expert Joe Wicks, Olympic boxer Nicola Adams, and Sam Thompson, who won ‘I’m A Celeb’ and is known for his dedication to fitness.

Vogue was the winner of the first season of Bear Grylls: Mission Survive and often posts fitness advice and workout videos for her Instagram followers.

During the Covid pandemic, Joe became a familiar face on British television with his home workout videos, and reality TV personality Sam frequently posts updates on his fitness journey.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m keeping a close eye on Nicola – she’s a real force to be reckoned with! She retired from boxing undefeated in 2019, and she made history at the London 2012 Olympics, becoming the first woman ever to win a gold medal in boxing. I think she’s definitely one to watch!

According to a source, the first celebrity edition of the show featured three comedians as contestants, and it was intentionally designed to be funny, which viewers enjoyed.

This year, the show has brought in four celebrities who are genuinely competitive against the Gladiators, promising a really exciting showdown.

Joel Dommett and Ellie Taylor won the first season of Celebrity Gladiators after a nail-biting final showdown.

In a one-hour special, Joel competed against comedian Rob Beckett, and Ellie took on a series of challenges alongside former BBC Breakfast host Louise Minchin.

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2025-11-10 04:54