The return of Gladiators after over two decades away from screens has captured the imagination of the British public.
Airing again on BBC One, the show has been rebooted for a second time, after a series was made for Sky One in 2008, following the original 1992 ITV series, which ended in 2000.
One contestant to catch viewers’ eyes in particular is Comet, whose real name is Ella Mae Rayner.
The 28-year-old, from Hertfordshire, is a former gymnast who has also worked as a high-board diver and competed as a cheerleader at national level.
Away from the competition, the athlete appears to lead a lavish life full of glitz and glamour which features breathtaking holidays, a stunning fashion collection, as well as an entrepreneur boyfriend.
Inside Gladiators star Comet’s lavish private life from idyllic holidays and entrepreneur boyfriend, (pictured) to stunning fashion collection – Comet, real name Ella Mae Rayner, pictured
Ella is currently in a relationship with James Exton, who runs a health and fitness company and was recently modelling for Amiri at Paris Fashion Week in January
Away from battling contestants on Gladiators, Ella Mae has also embarked on luxurious holidays, posting a summer snap from the Myconian Avaton Resort in Mykonos, Greece
She is currently in a relationship with James Exton, who runs a health and fitness company and was recently modelling for Amiri at Paris Fashion Week in January.
They began dating in July 2022, per a post on Ella Mae’s Instagram, which saw her wish James a ‘Happy 1 Year [anniversary]’ in a photoset uploaded on July 10 2023.
James runs a fitness and personal training business called LDN Muscle, with his twin brother Tom.
Speaking about her character on the show, Ella May told Radio Times: ‘Being a Gladiator encompasses everything that I am, and everything that I’ve worked towards.
‘She encompasses femininity and strength combined. She is always smiling, and friendly, but she’s not someone to be underestimated, because she has her strengths and the games she competes in she excels in.’
Away from battling contestants on Gladiators, Ella Mae has also embarked on luxurious holidays in the past, posting a summer snap from the Myconian Avaton Resort in Mykonos, Greece.
Private villas at the resort can accommodate as many as ten people, with these luxury measuring up to 200 metres squared and featuring private swimming pools.
Booking one of these rooms in June would cost a staggering price of just under £3,300 per night.
While filming for the latest series of Gladiators, Ella Mae revealed that she broke both her ankle and foot in multiple places.
While filming for the latest series of Gladiators, Ella Mae revealed that she broke both her ankle and foot in multiple places
Following the injury, she wrote on Instagram: ‘To my fellow Gladiators, family, and close friends.
‘I am struggling to find the words to describe how grateful I am for you all. From the bottom of my heart, you could not have shown me greater compassion, love, and support throughout the show’.
‘You have all shown what it truly means to be a team’.
Episode 7 of Gladiators airs at 7:10pm on Wednesday night on BBC One.
