BBC Gladiators crown new 2025 champions in emotional final
The winners of the 2025 final were announced in a competitive finale this evening
Gym owner Amanda Wah and gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn have been crowned the winners of Gladiators 2025. Amanda, from Warrington, and Joe, from Scarborough, beat their female and male contenders to triumph in the final of the competition broadcast on Saturday on BBC One.
In the women's competition, Aneila Afsar, a supply teacher from Manchester, had the upper hand in the final Eliminator battle, having earned a 1.5-second head start from their previous events, but was beaten to the finish line by Amanda.
Speaking to co-host Bradley Walsh in an emotional moment, Amanda said: "That one's for you, mum. This has been the best experiences of my life - unbelievable."
Amanda, who is from Lymm in the Cheshire town, is a well-known figure locally. She owns a gym called Momentum Collective on Haydock Street in the town centre. Amanda opened the gym in July 2019 and it is open throughout the year. 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. He paid tribute to his grandmother, Christine, who brought him up after his mother died when he was two years old. Joe said: "I never had a father figure present and she's done everything for me. I hope you're proud.
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". 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 co-host 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."
Cheering Amanda on was her girlfriend, two children, friends and family, while Joe was supported by Roddy Mackay, a contender from 1993, and his family.
Gladiators was revived last year on the BBC, with army officer Finlay Anderson and personal trainer Marie-Louise Nicholson being crowned champions.
The show was on ITV for eight years until 2000 before being axed, and came back on Sky for a short run from 2008 to 2009. This year, the Gladiators Live Tour will make its global debut across UK arenas.Gladiators is also on BBC iPlayer.