![\"Gladiators](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_246384724-42bd.jpg\")
\n\t\tA Gladiators contestant has been forced to drop out of the final (Picture: BBC \/ Graeme Hunter \/ \u00a9 Hungry Bear Media Ltd)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tA Gladiators contestant has been forced to drop out of the final (Picture: BBC \/ Graeme Hunter \/ \u00a9 Hungry Bear Media Ltd)<\/p>\n
A leg injury has forced a Gladiators<\/a> contestant out of the competition after they made it all the way to the final.<\/p>\n Zavia Hill, a personal trainer from Manchester, was hit during one of the games on the BBC<\/a> One show\u2019s semi-final, and at first it seemed like she would continue.<\/p>\n She was treated by a physiotherapist backstage and made it to the final leg, an assault course called The Eliminator, taking home the win, but later had to withdraw<\/a>.<\/p>\n Her place will be taken by the fastest female runner-up from the semi-finals, Aneila Afsar, a supply teacher also from Manchester, who has broken barriers as the \u2018first Muslim<\/a> woman on the show\u2019.<\/p>\n Zavia said: \u2018Reaching the final felt special, I usually give up when I feel like I\u2019ve failed.<\/p>\n \u2018After 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.\u2019<\/p>\n She also said that during the Gauntlet game, where Gladiators try to prevent contenders passing with the aide of power-pads, she \u2018knew my time on the show was probably over, I was devastated\u2019.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018I got very emotional after I realised I\u2019d hurt my leg as bad as I did,\u2019 Zavia added.<\/p>\n \u2018When 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.\u2019<\/p>\n She also said that she felt \u2018like a butterfly with newfound confidence\u2019 after being in the arena, and urged Aneila to do \u2018Manchester proud\u2019.<\/p>\n Aneila said reaching the final was \u2018bittersweet\u2019, and added: \u2018Anyone who\u2019s been following the show knows how badly I wanted to make it to the final, but this isn\u2019t the way I wanted to get there. At the same time, I\u2019m beyond grateful for the opportunity and so excited for what\u2019s ahead.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t She also called Zavia \u2018an incredible contender and an even better person\u2019, adding: \u2018It\u2019s an honour to represent her and I\u2019ll actually be wearing some of her gems in the final.\u2019<\/p>\n Aneila said: \u2018Winning Gladiators would be amazing. I\u2019m a competitive person and a former pro-athlete so I\u2019m always in it to win it.<\/p>\n \u2018But honestly, just getting here is huge. I\u2019ve already broken so many barriers as the first Muslim woman on the show, and now being in the final is incredible.<\/p>\n \u2018I know that my presence alone will have a positive impact on Muslim women, and that means everything to me.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t She will face Warrington gym owner Amanda Wah, as Scarborough-born gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn and east London youth worker Mus Dumbuya also go head-to-head in the men\u2019s final.<\/p>\n Who won Gladiators 2024?<\/p>\n Finlay Anderson and Marie-Louise Nicholson<\/a>\u00a0were\u00a0crowned\u00a0Gladiators\u00a0champions<\/a>\u00a0after a tense final showdown in March last year.<\/p>\n The duo went up against\u00a0finalists Wesley Male and Bronte Jones<\/a>\u00a0<\/a>for\u00a0one last time<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0but after 11 weeks of gruelling challenges, they were the ones who emerged victorious.<\/p>\n \t\t To reach the final, the contenders had to battle against the show\u2019s 16 Gladiators in games testing strength, speed and dexterity that continue to be family favourites from previous versions of the programme.<\/p>\n The BBC revived Gladiators last year, with a new batch of athletes following in the footsteps of icons\u00a0Wolf, Jet, Hunter and Lightening<\/a>.<\/p>\n Originally\u00a0running from 1992 to 2000,<\/a>\u00a0Gladiators was hosted by\u00a0Ulrika Jonsson<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0ITV<\/a>, and now\u00a0sees\u00a0father-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh<\/a>\u00a0at the helm.<\/p>\n Gladiators: Grand Final is on April 12 at 5.50pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Gladiators](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_246384997-bac0.jpg\")
\n\t\tPersonal trainer Zavia Hill injured her leg and was forced to pull out (Picture: BBC \/ Graeme Hunter \/ \u00a9 Hungry Bear Media Ltd)<\/p>\n![\"EMBARGOED](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_246372373-d763.jpg\")
\n\t\tAneila Afsar will be taking her place (Picture: BBC\/Graeme Hunter\/Hungry Bear Media Ltd\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n![\"EMBARGOED](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_246372208-5411.jpg\")
\n\t\tAneila is making history as the show\u2019s first Muslim woman (Picture: BBC\/David MacCormack\/Hungry Bear Media Ltd\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n![\"For](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_198077272-09e5.jpg\")
\n\t\tFinlay Anderson and Marie-Louise Nicholson were crowned champions last year (Picture: BBC\/James Stack\/Hungry Bear Media Ltd\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n
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