Gladiators legend Jet’s estranged wife slams TV bosses’ decision to let the ‘self-confessed domestic abuser’ return to show

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The wife of ‘Gladiators’ star Jet has publicly criticized the show’s decision to include a contestant who has admitted to domestic abuse.

Diane Youdale, known as Jet, had a difficult 18-month marriage to Zoe Gilbert. It ended badly, with both women agreeing it hadn’t worked out.

As someone who’s followed celebrity wellness for years, it’s sadly not uncommon to see even the most seemingly confident people struggle. Recently, a ’90s icon opened up about her own battles with alcohol, and bravely shared that it led to a difficult situation – an altercation with her wife. She explained that she felt intensely pressured and bullied, which unfortunately contributed to the problem. It’s a reminder that outward success doesn’t always reflect inner peace, and that seeking help is a sign of strength.

Meanwhile Zoe hit back, saying she had been left with PTSD from her time with the star.

She’s expressed strong disapproval that Jet has returned to participate in The Gladiators Experience, a live show taking place at Birmingham’s NEC from May to August.

Zoe, from Stockton-on-Tees, told the Daily Mail she was surprised and upset to learn Diane would be returning to Gladiators, and couldn’t understand why the BBC would want her involved.

If a man acted like she did, there would be widespread anger, and he wouldn’t be allowed to participate in a family-friendly show like Gladiators.

Even according to Diane herself, she acknowledges she physically hurt me. However, the truth is actually much more serious than she claims.

Recently, more information has come to light about the troubled relationship between Zoe and Diane. It’s been revealed that Zoe filed a police report against Diane last year, alleging Diane physically assaulted her at their home in October 2023.

Zoe claims that Diane threatened to ‘kill’ her during a traumatic phone call in November last year.

Honestly, I was so relieved to be far away from her then. When I hear that level of anger in her voice, I know things are about to get really intense, and I definitely don’t want to be caught in the crossfire.

In 2023, neighbors had to step in after hearing Zoe cry for help. Her former Gladiator partner allegedly held her down, causing injuries to her back that appeared like knife wounds.

Police responded to a call and told Diane to leave the house she shared with Zoe in Stockton-on-Tees, but Zoe decided not to file charges.

She said: ‘We hadn’t been married long and I foolishly thought we could somehow make things right.

The house was covered in blood, and I was hurt all over. I was so scared, though, that I couldn’t quite recall what had happened.

‘In December last year I asked for a review of the case and submitted all the pictures as evidence.

The officers explained that because so much time had passed and I hadn’t initially wanted to press charges, it was unlikely the Crown Prosecution Service would pursue the case.

Diane described Zoe’s claims as ‘ridiculous.’

She explained that Zoe tends to exaggerate or create stories, and has been hurtful towards her by bringing up past issues. She also believes Zoe has a history of self-harm, potentially stemming from her own difficult childhood.

Living with her became unbearable, and I felt like I’d been repeatedly manipulated, deceived, and deliberately led into a bad situation.

‘A horrible time of my life that needs to stay in the past. I don’t need retraumatising.’

Sent from my iPhone

Diane became famous in the 1990s as a popular and relatable celebrity, gaining a large following thanks to her athletic abilities and approachable, friendly personality.

Oh my god, I just read that Zoe is saying her ex completely messed with her head during their marriage! She used words like ‘gaslighted’ and ‘manipulated,’ and honestly, it just confirms everything I always suspected about him. He always seemed… off. It’s so awful to think he did that to her, playing with her mind like that. I’m just so glad she’s finally speaking out!

She alleges that Diane exploited Zoe’s difficult upbringing and the sadness she felt after losing family members.

‘I had a childhood of physical abuse and neglect from my mother which traumatised me.’

Zoe experienced the heartbreaking loss of all three of her brothers at young ages, with the most recent passing in December 2021. The only things she had left to remember them by were cherished family photographs.

She told me that she came home and discovered Diane had cut up the photos to create a collage.

She seemed to expect me to appreciate her actions, but I was really hurt. Those photos were incredibly important to me, and she took them without even asking.

I really upset her when I voiced my complaint, and in a fit of anger, she hurled a special glass – a gift made for my brother – at the sliding glass door, shattering it.

The couple officially separated in July 2024, and Zoe says Diane started dating someone new very soon after.

She told me someone contacted her wanting to video chat while her partner was present, but she quickly changed her mind, explaining he wasn’t dressed.

‘She told me on another occasion that she was crawling naked across his landing.

Honestly, even though we were still legally married, it was killing me. Every little thing felt like a cruel joke, like he was deliberately trying to hurt me. I was a mess, constantly anxious and in pain just thinking about us.

Diane is currently thought to be living in the Scottish Borders, where she still runs her psychotherapy practice. Initial appointments cost £65.

Next May, she’ll team up with original Gladiators stars like Hunter, Saracen, and Lightning for a live show. She also continues to host the Gladiators’ podcast, GladPod.

Diane has shared that police took her into custody in 2023 after neighbors contacted them about a situation.

She explained that Zoe tripped and fell behind the sofa. She then firmly pressed on Zoe’s chest three times and told her to stop. She couldn’t continue explaining what happened after that.

remember what happened then. The next thing I knew I was being led out by the police.’

Diane has said in the aftermath of the arrest she felt suicidal.

In an interview with the Daily Mail last year, Diane stated that she felt unfairly portrayed as the villain after being pushed to her breaking point. She also clarified that she never caused the injuries the other person photographed.

She’s accusing me of picking her up and throwing her down the stairs, but actually, I’m the one with a serious back injury – a ruptured disc.

I would only resort to physical force if someone was harming a child or an animal, or if I was defending myself. I never had to defend myself against her, and this incident marked the end of our relationship.

The shock of the disintegration of her relationship caused her to stop drinking.

‘I stopped drinking in 2024 and I haven’t touched a drop since. I am so proud of myself for that.

I realized it was negatively affecting me, so I decided to quit immediately. It wasn’t adding anything positive to my life, and I needed to be firm and make sure I had all the information straight.

‘It was a terrible depressor, and I can’t believe I did it to myself for so long.

She says they drank nightly, and arguments typically began around the same time each evening. These fights were often triggered by Zoe worrying about her past relationships and people she worked with.

Every night, without fail, around 9 or 9:30, that same record would start playing, and honestly, it drove me crazy! I’d yell at Zoe, ‘Seriously, this is getting so repetitive, please just turn it off!’ It was like clockwork, and it was starting to really bug me.

She falsely accused me of having affairs with both my clients and friends – it’s unbelievable to even think about! She just never really understood me, and she never acknowledged or celebrated anything good that happened in my life.

In July 2023, Diane shared that she was dating Zoe, which came as a surprise to many fans who previously thought she was attracted to men.

She was once married to a television executive named George Mayhew, and during the height of Gladiator’s popularity, she also had a relationship with her co-star, James Crossley, who played Hunter.

Diane shared the charming story of how she met Zoe – a chance encounter in a supermarket that captured the hearts of viewers after the couple told Lorraine about it.

After their difficult breakup, Diane accused Zoe of deliberately creating a dramatic scene, comparing it to being chased by a predator.

She said their meeting wasn’t a coincidence – someone had clearly done some research on her. This person knew about her previous relationships, which she found unsettling and strange.

She’d planned it all along. She knew exactly when and where I’d be at the supermarket, and I was completely unsuspecting.

Honestly, it completely crushed me to hear her say that. It’s just… unbelievable! I mean, I’ve thought about that day so much, and it was exactly how it looked – a total coincidence! It wasn’t planned at all. And get this – she was the one who approached me! Diane actually asked for my name, she started the whole thing! It just feels so unfair that she’s twisting it.

We definitely had a connection, so I asked her out. Now, she’s making it sound like something awful happened, and it’s just not how it went at all.

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2026-03-29 18:06