Diane Youdale, who starred on the 90s TV show from 1992 to 1996 under the name Jet, has shared the real meaning behind her Gladiators nickname
Dan Laurie Deputy Editor of Screen Time
08:45, 08 Mar 2026Updated 12:49, 08 Mar 2026
Diane Youdale appeared on Gladiators as Jet from 1992 and 1996(Image: PR)
Diane Youdale has revealed the story behind how Gladiators bosses gave her the nickname Jet.
The 56-year-old television icon, from Billingham, rose to prominence on the beloved 90s programme and became recognised as its pin-up star.
She appeared on our screens on Saturday evenings from 1992 until 1996, when she was compelled to step away following a severe neck injury suffered during a live show at Wembley Arena whilst competing in the Pyramid event.
Speaking on behalf of new online bingo brand Zingo Bingo about joining the cast, Diane said: “I was asked to audition for this new show, and I had no idea what it was about other than it was called Gladiators.
The TV personality rose to prominence on the beloved 90s programme and became recognised as its pin-up star(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“They invited me to a tryout and we did gym tests and then on the back of that they sent us all out to the army assault course, which was immense fun because I’d not long retired from being a GB gymnast,” reports the Mirror.
“I thought they wanted me to be a contestant not a Gladiator because I’m not really that built. When the producers told me I was going to be called Jet, I was taken aback at first. I thought to myself, my hair isn’t that dark. But they said they wanted me as Jet because of my speed! I was one of the quickest Gladiators.”
Diane continued: “I think that was it was executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, Nasty Nigel, who came up with it and then he went on to do so many other things across the globe with all these light entertainment shows.”
Following her departure from the programme after four years, trained choreographer Diane went on to feature in television programmes, present dance shows and qualify as a psychotherapist. Reflecting on her current life three decades following her unexpected departure from Gladiators, Diane revealed: “I wear three different hats.
Diane has opened up on her life since quitting the show 30 years ago(Image: @jetloves/Instagram)
“I’m a support care worker with the social services a couple of days a week, I teach and lecture in counselling and psychotherapy and practice as a practitioner and my mainstay is I teach in exercise and fitness and I love it.
“I love my ladies, my boys, my participants and we have so much fun on wellness and fitness pathways. I’ve been teaching since I was 19, so for 34 years, and I love it. I wouldn’t want to do anything different.
“The secret to good teaching and lecturing is be passionate about your subject and I am about wellness. I mean, we owe it to ourselves, don’t we? The one big investment that we’ve all got is this thing we’re sat in and it’s our bodies and our mental health.”
Although 30 years have passed since her final television appearance as Jet, Diane reveals she continues to be recognised by admirers whilst out and about.
“Sometimes I get people going ‘I really recognise you’ and ‘where do I know you from?’. I’ve also had people say it was the one time they could all sit together as a family and not be arguing was because the focus was on the TV, which is nice” she said.
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