‘The new Jet’ in Gladiators turned career around after injury to become Comet and leave fans stunned
Gladiators is back and for Ella-Mae Rayner she is following in some legendary footsteps.
The former gymnast is one of the new stars of the rebooted 1990s hit show and will be trying to stop contestants in their tracks as 'Comet'.
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"I loved watching Gladiators growing up," Rayner said. "I specifically remember Jet, she was an icon for me as a child and one of the reasons I become a gymnast. I can’t believe I will be following in her footsteps. It really is a dream come true”.
The show originally ran from 1992 - 2000 and was iconic across its eight years as competitors pitted their skills against a range of Gladiators who all became household names such as Jet, Wolf and Hunter.
Rayner even suggested she could be Jet 2.0 to one user on Instagram.
A brief revival on Sky from 2008 - 2009 didn't quite go to plan, but now the BBC are taking their turn with a raft of new faces.
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Introducing her to the audience, the Gladiators account wrote: “Like a Comet, Ella-Mae Rayner is a sight to behold!
“A former elite gymnast, she made the move into semi-professional in diving before starting her degree in Sport Science.
“At university she successfully coached and competed in University Cheerleading Championships.
“But it wasn’t until she suffered a career changing ankle injury, that she found her love for the gym. She now trains six-times a week, alongside being a fitness model and coach.
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“Comet is a force of nature, flashing past you. Collide with her and you’ll be dust!”
Over the last four years Rayner has worked hard to get to where she is and promotes a positive mindset when posting about her gym routines.
She told her followers on Instagram: "Fitness truly did save me from a very dark place years ago after suffering a life changing injury.
Although, I had always been into sport including gymnastics in my younger years, diving as a teen and then cheerleading during my university days, I had never been taught much about weight lifting/nutrition. It was only when I was left with no choice but to educate myself about the gym (as it was the only thing I could do) that the journey really begun.
"It is not the physical change where I have noticed the biggest transformation despite what you see here, but the it’s the mental one that’s changed the most. It’s the feeling of confidence in my body, the feeling of strength inside and outside the gym, it’s having constant energy, getting a good sleep every night, an elevated mood and knowing that I am setting myself up a long and healthy life.";
"Results don’t happen by chance, they happen with a will to change and not stopping until you get there. Consistently showing up for yourself, ticking boxes daily and implementing discipline.
"It takes time and a lot of it, so don’t expect your results overnight BUT if you concentrate on getting better each and everyday you will get to where you want to be. I never thought this body was possible after that injury but I showed myself that I could achieve anything if I put my mind in the right place."
And it seems like she is having a positive effect on followers, with one fan commenting: "My inspiration day in day out," while another said: "The words I needed to read. Thank you for being an inspiration." A third commented: "Killing it - your work-rate and mindset is inspirational."
It is unclear when the new series will begin, though it is expected later this year.