Excitement builds ahead of all-North West finale

Hundreds of people are expected to pack out a gym to watch their local trainer battle it out on the big screen in grand finale of the TV show Gladiators.

Amanda Wah from Warrington is set to go head-to-head with fellow North West contender Aneila Afsar, a supply teacher from Manchester.

Millions are expected to watch the two smash and bash their way through a series of brutal challenges before one is ultimately crowned female champion for 2025.

Ms Wah said she had kitted out the gym she owns with seats and a screen for the event for friends and family who had “all come along for the ride” on her journey to the final.

The personal trainer and mother-of-two, who runs Momentum Collective in Warrington, said her experience on the show was one of a childhood dream turning into reality

“I grew up watching it, and thought, oh my goodness, I want a go of that,” she said.

Given the show is recorded, she told BBC Radio Manchester it had been a challenge to keep the outcome to herself ahead of the final broadcast.

She has been supported by more than a hundred friends and family who went to support her during the show’s filming at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield

“I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” she said.

Her rival contender, Aneila Afsar made history as the first on the show to wear a hijab and said she wanted to be “visible Muslim role model” for her daughter.

She took the place of Zavia Hill, a personal trainer from Manchester, who was unable to continue after a leg injury she suffered in the semi-final.

Aneila admitted reaching the final was “bittersweet” and said it “wasn’t the way I wanted to get there”.

She also called Zavia “an incredible contender” and said: “It’s an honour to represent her and I’ll actually be wearing some of her gems in the final.

“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.”

Gladiators: Grand Final is on 12 April at 17.50 BST on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.