Original Gladiator Lightning set the stage for the iconic show’s return this weekend by offering a dose of motivation while flaunting her impressive six-pack.
At 53, athlete Kim Betts showcased that she is still in prime shape, more than three decades since her screen debut. Renowned as one of the toughest female Gladiators, Lightning’s enduring passion for bodybuilding is no surprise to fans.
Kim graced the show from 1992 to 2000, earning the title of the longest-serving female star on the program. Transitioning from the world of TV after retiring from her Lycra attire, she has become a successful businesswoman.
Despite her departure from the small screen, fitness remains a significant aspect of her life. Revealing her incredible physique on Instagram, Kim shared a message of empowerment with her followers: “Me today… A 53-year-old grandma. It’s irrelevant how many children you’ve given birth to… It doesn’t matter how old you are… You can STILL look as good as you did in your 20s! Or EVEN BETTER!”
Receiving an outpouring of love from fans, Kim’s washboard abs garnered admiration. One fan said, “You have been inspiring me with your extreme skills, strength, and beauty since I was eight,” while another declared her their “favourite Gladiator.”
Having previously appeared on This Morning, Kim acknowledged the lasting impact of her Gladiator days. She shared, “It’s only now as well that I realize, and I still get lots of stories being sent to me saying, ‘you inspired me so much, you changed my life, you motivated me,’ and you think, ‘wow,’ it was quite powerful, the message that it put across and how it did inspire and change people’s lives.”
Kim will watch as the iconic ’90s TV show returns this weekend with a new set of Gladiators. The show, which debuted on ITV in 1992 and ran for eight seasons before being discontinued, is making a comeback on BBC with a fresh lineup of Lycra-clad warriors taking on daring members of the public starting this Saturday.
