RAF Lyneham's former fitness instructor wins Gladiators show
16th February 2009
In an Armed Forces special of the TV show Gladiators, a former RAF Lyneham RAF Physical Training Instructor has beaten her Army and Royal Naval colleagues after they were all pitted against the show's regular 'Gladiators'.

Corporal Claire Leslie, aged 23, who now works at RAF Marham in Norfolk, was the winner of a special edition of the programme, 'Gladiators: Battle of the Forces', screened on Sky 1, Sunday 15 February 2009.

Cpl Leslie has been involved in the selection process for the show since late summer 2008. She said: The competition was very tough, but a good experience and I really feel like I have achieved something. I was really excited to be involved with Gladiators. I have always kept myself fit and since my primary role in the RAF is to enable the fitness of all Service personnel, it is really great that I have this opportunity to show what I am made of!"

Cpl Leslie trained at RAF Lyneham before moving to RAF Marham just over a week ago.

Reflecting on the challenges the show threw at her, she added: "I am only 5 foot 4 [1.6m] tall and when I had to compete against girls who were much larger than me in training, I realised that being quick was not everything.

The boys at work have helped me with my training, although I think they were all jealous that I was going to be on Gladiators rather than them!" Initial selection included various general fitness tests, an interview, and then contact games such as wrestling.

After hearing that she had successfully got through to the programme, Cpl Leslie attended a ten-day training camp for all of those selected to appear in the new series of Gladiators. Here she tried out many of the events she could be faced with, and had an opportunity to meet the Gladiators.

Her only regret was not having her mum and dad in the audience for support: "My mum and dad live in Spain, and were not able to get over for the filming of the show, so Sunday night was the first time they had seen me and they were really proud of my performance."

In the special edition of the sweat-inducing show, the Gladiators took on Contenders from all three Services, and featured Hang Tough, Rocketball, Duel, Pursuit and The Wall.

Cpl Leslie is planning to donate her winnings to the 'Help for Heroes' campaign.

Claire’s former boss, Flight Lieutenant Mark Colebourn, is the Physical Education Officer at RAF Lyneham. spoke as she was going through the selection process last year:

“We are all really proud of Claire for getting through the selection process. She is a fine example of the excellent young men and women we have in today’s Air Force and I am positive she will do the RAF and RAF Lyneham proud.”

Initial selection entailed various general fitness tests followed by an interview. The next stage involved more contact games such as wrestling, after which Claire was immediately faced with a camera and microphone as would happen during the real competition. After hearing that she had successfully got through to the Forces Special Programme, Claire attended a 10 day training camp for all of those who have been selected to appear in the next series of Gladiators. During the camp, they tried out many of the events they could be faced with on the day and had an opportunity to meet the Gladiators.

It just goes to show from the popular saying among those who want to keep really fit is 'there's no gain without pain'