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I made lifelong friends on Gladiators, says paramedic

Zoe Mcintosh A girl taking a picture in a bathroom mirror. She is wearing a forest green paramedics uniform which is a short-sleeve polo top and long trousers with a black belt. She has long black hair is smiling into the camera. Zoe Mcintosh
Zoe Mcintosh works for West Midlands Ambulance Service across Staffordshire

A Gladiators contender said she loved her experience on the hit TV show and that she had made friends for life.

Zoe Mcintosh, a paramedic for West Midlands Ambulance Service across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, said she had continued to spend time with her fellow contestants since appearing on the show last year.

"We have competed at fitness competitions together and I have even been out to Dubai with one of the friends I made," the 31-year-old said.

Ms Mcintosh, from Telford, credited their "unique shared experience" while they trained for and filmed the series as the reason why the group created "such a tight bond".

Ms Mcintosh was speaking out as the second series of the rebooted Saturday night show was due to return to screens on Saturday.

She said it was not only her social life that the show had changed but that she had also adapted her training.

Zoe Mcintosh A picture of four people standing on set of the BBC show Gladiators. A referee is on the far left, next to a blonde woman dressed in a red, shiny bodysuit. A woman in a red vest and knee-length leggings is on the far right and Bradley Walsh, in a burgundy suit, is in between the two women. There are big, red pads on the floor behind them that come up to their waist. Zoe Mcintosh
Ms Mcintosh came up against Diamond while taking part in the show

"It has given me motivation to train more and build on my weaknesses," she said.

"I used to do heavy-weight training, but now I am doing much more functional fitness, taking into consideration my cardiovascular fitness and agility."

The change to her workout routine means she is able to continue to compete at Hyrox indoor fitness competitions with her new friends.

Hyrox involves participants running 8km (4.97 miles), interspersed with several workout stations including rowing, burpees and sled pulling.

Ms Mcintosh said the group plans to travel to more events around the country throughout the year.

Zoe Mcintosh A selfie of four people who in wearing gym clothing and standing in an indoor arena that is set up for a fitness competition. There are three women and one man. Zoe Mcintosh
The former contenders competed at Hyrox in Birmingham last year

Ms Mcintosh said she was inspired to take part after her father applied to be on the original 1990s show, but unfortunately did not make an appearance.

She added that 12 months later, she is still shocked when she is reminded of her five minutes of fame.

"I still have the episode recorded and hopefully in many years to come I will be able to show my future children and grandchildren."

Gladiators returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday from 17:50 GMT.

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