A GLADIATORS contestant who crashed out of the show reveals their horrifying injuries and month long recovery as fans brand the game “dangerous”.
Nikki Billingham, a wedding celebrant from West Yorkshire was competing against gym owner Keeva from Belfast in the physically challenging game show.
A contestant who crashed out of the show reveals their horrifying injuries and month long recovery as fans brand the game “dangerous”[/caption]
Nikki was facing contestant Keeva but had to leave the cometition[/caption]
Dynamite praised Nikki and for doing amazing on the show[/caption]
However, Nikki was injured during the third event, The Edge, a criss-cross grid in the air that contestants have to run across while gladiators try to push them off.
Dynamite, a weightlifter called Emily Steel, pushed Nikki off the rail and she fell on the safety net below in the TV show The Gladiators.
However, as Dynamite checked in on her, Nikki winced in pain and the commentator said: “There’s some concern from Dynamite, Nikki looks like she’s got herself injured.”
As the clip replayed, the commentator added: “Well it looks like there was something in the landing, let’s hope Nikki is okay.”
Shockingly, Host Bradley Walsh was then forced to halt the show and he urged Nikki to get medical help.
Dynamite then expressed how absolutely amazing Nikki had done so far in the game and said: “No matter what happened up there and how she’s feeling right now, she (has) done so well to come this far, and she should be really proud of herself”.
Later in the show Bradley announced: “Earlier on we saw Nikki sustain an injury on ‘The Edge’.”
His son and co-host Barney added: “She’s been checked over by our brilliant medical team but unfortunately she will not be able to compete in the Eliminator.”
Now, Nikki has explained how bad her injuries were and that it took a while for her to feel better again.
Taking to social media after her elimination, Nikki began by explaining that being on the show was a childhood dream and that she’d had the best experience.
She explained: “You know what you are letting yourself in for and potential risks involved and unfortunately I did sustain an injury.
“When @dynamite_thegladiator did exactly what she was supposed to do and tackled me off the edge unfortunately when we landed, we landed together and my neck and arm took the brunt of it.
“I lost feeling in my arms, compression of my spine and it took a few weeks to come back and a few months to get fully back to where I was.”
But Nikki explained that she’s now back to full strength after hard work and gym sessions.
“Obviously I am gutted I didn’t get to do the eliminator, the most iconic part of the show!!
“I loved Gladiators as a kid growing up and to get on the show literally is a dream come true!.”
She praised the Gladiators in the show as super inspirational and amazing role models before finally thanking everyone.
“Thank you to everyone for your support and all the messages I have received. What a show!!” she said.
Gladiator Dynamite commented on Nikki’s post and said: ‘You did amazing”
However, fans were quick to brand the game dangerous with one viewer stating: “Should rename the event to The Edge of Hospital with how many injuries it creates.”
Another added: “Glad to see she’s back to full strength but that sounds brutal, wouldn’t be surprised if the Edge isn’t in the next series at this rate.”
“It’s definitely more dangerous than the others.. Although I suspect it’s still not quite as dangerous as “Pyramid” was back in the day.
“That had a lot of injuries and is the one that infamously lead to Jet breaking her neck.” expressed a third viewer.
Contender Nikki faced Contender Keeva in the hit game show[/caption]
The Gladiators airs on Saturdays on BBC1 and is available on BBCIplayer.
