Gladiators finalist inspires daughter not to give up

Watching her mum make history has taught nine‑year‑old Aurelia, daughter of Gladiators 2026 finalist Naomi Church, one thing.

"No matter what age you are, you can still do what you think you can do," Aurelia told the BBC.

Church, 41, from Nottingham, went head-to-head against Emily Bell, 23, in the women's grand final - which aired on Saturday - in a battle between the show's oldest and youngest contestants.

Walking away as the runner-up, Church had her head held high, as did her daughter, who said she was "very proud".

"I think that I'm very proud of my mum because the first time, we asked if we think she could do it and she said 'I'm not sure', but then she just went for it and this is what happened, she got into the finals," Aurelia said.

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Aurelia said her mum had taught her to "never give up".

The whirlwind of being a contestant and realising "what [she is] capable of" is still settling in for Church.

"We were all very proud to watch it back. It was a hard watch knowing how it ended, but we're excited and just enjoyed the show.

"Honestly, the whole process has been such a fantastic experience, you couldn't feel any other way," she said.

Going into the competition, the business consultant - who was raised in Birmingham - said she had not given much thought to her age, but as the series went on, it became a particular point of focus.

"It made me realise that, actually yeah, I am, this is, a good example and a good inspiration.

"The fact that I didn't think about that [age] is what actually pushed me further, and it just goes to show you don't have to," she said.

Church managed to gain an advantage against her opponent, Bell, in the "Destruction" challenge, but as the competition went on, she built up a time deficit for the final challenge, the "Eliminator".

Although Church caught Bell up in the final challenge, Bell, from Croydon, reached the finish line first.

Before the final, Church said she sent her family a message telling them not worry and "just to enjoy the ride".

"You know, when you get in that mindset of 'I'm going to throw everything at this, and have no regrets, and whatever happens, I'm fine with it'?" she said.

Aurelia watched on with family and friends, cheering and chanting in support of her mum.

Church also had the backing of Aurelia's school, she said.

Aurelia spoke of the mixture of emotions she went through watching her mum in the competition.

Aurelia admitted at moments, it was "scary" watching her mum take on the physical challenges, but saw her mum's perseverance as a lesson.

"She's saying to 'me to never give up'.

"If, when you're older, you might want to try, and no matter what, just never give up.

"Keep pushing and then you eventually get somewhere," Aurelia said.

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