BBC Gladiators fans in tears as Amanda Wah claims crown
Viewers found this year's finale an emotional watch
Fans of Gladiators were in tears following tonight’s final of the BBC show. Gym owner Amanda Wah was crowned the female winner of the BBC show, while gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn won the men’s title.
Amanda, who is from Warrington, runs a gym called Momentum Collective on Haydock Street in the town centre. She defeated Aneila Afsar, a supply teacher from Manchester, who had the upper hand in the final Eliminator battle, having earned a 1.5-second head start from their previous events.
However, she was beaten to the finish line by Amanda. In the opening minutes of the final, Amanda revealed she was taking part in honour of her late mum.
She brought this up again when she was crowned winner. Speaking to co-host Bradley Walsh, Amanda said: "That one's for you, mum. This has been the best experience of my life - unbelievable."
Meanwhile, after his victory, Joe paid tribute to his grandmother, Christine, who brought him up after his mother died when he was two years old. Joe had a six-second head start on his fellow finalist, east London youth worker Mus Dumbuya, as they went into the Eliminator.
The coach set a new Eliminator record in finishing the course in 0.55 seconds, according to the programme. After being crowned winner, he said: "I never had a father figure present and she's done everything for me. I hope you're proud.
Joe said he would put the trophy on his "grandmother Christine's mantelpiece", and called the experience "definitely the best thing I've ever done".
He added: "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.
He told Barney Walsh: "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 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."
Many viewers were emotional themselves. Reacting on X/Twitter, one said: "’That's for you mum’, oh amanda, I'm crying, I'm so proud of you.”
On Bluesky, another added: “Did #Gladiators make me cry? Yes. Yes it did.” Others congratulated the two winner on their performance. One said: “Well done Amanda! Very deserved and clear winner, after Zavia's injury especially #Gladiators. Great job from Aneila though.
Another said: “What an epic final we have witnessed & at the end of it, it's mega congratulations to Amanda Wah and Joe Fishburn, our Gladiators grand champions 2025, both setting new eliminator records in the process! Top work, guys. A third said: “Oh my god Amanda, wow. Get in.”
Amanda said the 11 weeks of being tackled and pushed by the "superhuman" Gladiators was like being on "work experience". She also called them the "biggest, fiercest, strongest people but also extremely supportive", and detailed their help with cramps and her shoe coming off. She added: "They are professionals and they don't want to hurt anyone, they care and it's amazing."
However, she quickly managed to catch-up and after finishing the final assault course The Eliminator, Amanda dedicated her "breaking time of 1.18" minutes to her late mother. She said "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. Aneila previously said she broke barriers as the "first Muslim woman on the show".