Gladiators was thrown into chaos on Saturday after a star had to pull out of the grand final in a major shake-up.

Gladiator Zavia Hill was forced to quit the compeтιтion due to a leg injury as the eagerly-anticipated instalment came to its head-to-head. 

She was instead replaced by the fastest female runner-up from the semi-finals, Aneila Afsar, a supply teacher also from Manchester, who has broken barriers as the ‘first Muslim woman on the show’.

Meanwhile, the official Instagram account of Gladiators shared the news, writing: ‘Unfortunately, due to an injury sustained during the Semi-Final, the brilliant Zavia can no longer compete in our Final next weekend. 

‘The fastest female runner-up from the Semi-Finals was Aneila and she will therefore join Amanda, Joe and Mus, as they take to the arena for one last time, to see who will be crowned our Gladiator champions for 2025!’

On Saturday’s episode, gym owner Amanda Wah and gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn were crowned the winners of Gladiators 2025.

Gladiators was thrown into chaos on Saturday after a star had to pull out of the show in a major shake-up right on the final episode

Gladiator Zavia Hill (pictured) was forced to quit the compeтιтion due to a leg injury as the eagerly-anticipated instalment came to its head-to-head

The popular game show returned to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in January for its second series, following a successful reboot in 2024. 

And on Saturday evening, Amanda, from Warrington, and Joe, from Scarborough, triumphed over their female and male contenders to win the final of the compeтιтion.

During the women’s final, Aneila had a 1.5-second head start going into the Eliminator thanks to her performance in earlier events. 

Despite that advantage, Amanda managed to overtake her and cross the finish line first. 

Speaking to co-host Bradley Walsh after her victory, Amanda said: ‘That one’s for you, mum. This has been the best experience of my life – unbelievable.’

Meanwhile, Joe entered the Eliminator with a six-second head start over East London youth worker Mus Dumbuya – and finished the course in a record-breaking 55 seconds, according to the programme. 

After his win, Joe paid tribute to his grandmother Christine, who raised him after his mother died when he was two years old. 

He said: ‘I never had a father figure present, and she’s done everything for me. I hope you’re proud.’ 

She was instead replaced by the fastest female runner-up from the semi-finals, Aneila Afsar (pictured) a supply teacher also from Manchester, who has broken barriers as the ‘first Muslim woman on the show’

Reflecting on her time on the show, Amanda described the 11 weeks of training and compeтιтion – including being tackled by the ‘superhuman’ Gladiators – as like being on ‘work experience’.

She called the Gladiators ‘the biggest, fiercest, strongest people – but also extremely supportive’, recalling their help when she had cramps or lost a shoe.

She added: ‘They are professionals and they don’t want to hurt anyone. They care –  and it’s amazing.’ 

After finishing the Eliminator in a time of 1 minute and 18 seconds, Amanda dedicated her performance to her late mother. 

She also praised her opponent, Aneila, saying: ‘Everyone has been exceptional, especially Aneila who was a great contender.’

She added that it was ‘mentally’ challenging for her rival to come in as the fastest runner-up following the withdrawal of Zavia Hill, a personal trainer from Manchester, who had to leave before the final due to an injury.

Discussing his trophy, Joe said he’d be placing it on his grandmother Christine’s mantelpiece, calling the compeтιтion ‘definitely the best thing I’ve ever done’.

He said: ‘We were in an amazing final, and I felt like I already won coming into this process. But obviously it’s always nice to complete the whole thing and take the win.’

Gym owner Amanda Wah and gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn were crowned the winners of Gladiators 2025 on Saturday

The popular game show returned to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in January for its second series, following a successful reboot in 2024 (Amanda and Fury pictured)

Read More Gladiators semi-final takes dramatic turn as two stars of the BBC show have to be held apart after clashing

Joe also praised his ‘amazing opponent’ Mus and called it an ‘honour’ to compete alongside him. 

Speaking to co-host Barney Walsh, he said: ‘I have absolutely no words, I just want to say I couldn’t be happier to do this with someone like Mus, it means the world to me,

He continued: ‘And Christine, this amazing woman brought me up from the age of two when unfortunately I lost my mum.

‘Mus is an amazing opponent, contender, friend, everything he does is so amazing and it was an honour to be in the final with him.’

Cheering Amanda on were her girlfriend, two children, and friends and family. Meanwhile, Joe was supported by his family and Roddy Mackay – a contender from the original 1993 Gladiators. 

Gladiators was revived last year on the BBC, with army officer Finlay Anderson and personal trainer Marie-Louise Nicholson winning the 2024 тιтle.

The show originally aired on ITV from 1992 until it was axed in 2000, and briefly returned on Sky from 2008 to 2009. 

This year, the Gladiators Live Tour will make its global debut across UK arenas.

Gladiators is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.