BBC Gladiators star forced to withdraw before final as injury leaves them 'devastated'

A leg injury has forced a contestant to withdraw from the competition after reaching the final. Zavia Hill, a personal trainer from Manchester, was injured during one of the games on the One show's semi-final.

Initially, it seemed she would continue as she was treated by a physiotherapist backstage and made it to the final round, an assault course called The Eliminator, securing the win. However, she later had to pull out.

Her place will be taken by the fastest female runner-up from the semi-finals, Aneila Afsar, a supply teacher also from Manchester, who is breaking barriers as the "first Muslim woman on the show".

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Zavia reflected: "Reaching the final felt special, I usually give up when I feel like I've failed."

She added: "After injuring my leg in the Gauntlet, I convinced myself I was out. But at the start of the Eliminator, I thought, not this time. Give it your all, girl."

She admitted that during the Gauntlet game, where Gladiators try to prevent contenders passing with the aide of power-pads, she "knew my time on the show was probably over" adding: "I was devastated."

Zavia continued: "I got very emotional after I realised I'd hurt my leg as bad as I did."

She added: "When I got home and the adrenaline had worn off, I realised I could hardly move my leg but on the plus side, I got to watch the final from the front row and cheer both of my friends on."

She concluded by saying that she felt "like a butterfly with newfound confidence" after being in the arena, and urged Aneila to do "Manchester proud".

Aneila has described her journey to the Gladiators final as "bittersweet" saying: "Anyone who's been following the show knows how badly I wanted to make it to the final, but this isn't the way I wanted to get there. At the same time, I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity and so excited for what's ahead."

She also paid tribute to her fellow competitor Zavia, calling her "an incredible contender and an even better person. It's an honour to represent her and I'll actually be wearing some of her gems in the final".

On the prospect of winning, Aneila said: "Winning Gladiators would be amazing. I'm a competitive person and a former pro-athlete so I'm always in it to win it.

"But honestly, just getting here is huge. I've already broken so many barriers as the first Muslim woman on the show, and now being in the final is incredible.

"I know that my presence alone will have a positive impact on Muslim women, and that means everything to me."

The final showdown will see Aneila up against Warrington gym owner Amanda Wah, while Scarborough-born gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn and east London youth worker Mus Dumbuya compete in the men's final.

Last year's champions were army officer Finlay Anderson and personal trainer Marie-Louise Nicholson.

Hosting duties for the two seasons have been taken on by The Chase's Bradley Walsh and his son Barney.

Gladiators: Grand Final will air on April 12 at 5.50pm on BBC One and BBC .