Who is Comet? Gladiators 2025 star and former gymnast
Comet wants to be a real-life superhero.
Gladiators is back in business for a new season – and Comet is ready to bring the fire to the arena.
As part of the line-up of Gladiators, Comet has already proven her mettle for the elite group of athletes, suffering a nasty accident during filming of the last season as she threw herself into the game.
But now she's back, fighting fit, and ready for action.
The star said she's always wanted to be a hero. She says "being a Gladiator is like being a real-life superhero". After all, as she points out it's "every child's dream!"
As our favourite classic games return, here's everything you need to know about the star.
Comet – Age, Instagram and stats
Real name: Ella-Mae Rayner
Age: 29
From: Hertfordshire
Height: 5ft 8in
Instagram: @comet_thegladiator
Who is Comet?
Ella-Mae Rayner was inspired to join the cast of Gladiators by former cast member, Jet, when she was younger.
Prior to joining the show, Ella-Mae was a professional cheerleader and gymnast, with a degree in sports science.
As someone who already works in sports and fitness, Comet says "being a Gladiator encompasses everything that I am, and everything that I’ve worked towards".
She also describes her alter-ego as "a perfectionist, very poised, and very elegant".
"She encompasses femininity and strength combined," Comet added. "She is always smiling, and friendly, but she’s not someone to be underestimated, because she has her strengths and the games she competes in she excels in."
According to Comet, the most memorable moment was "the first time we came out onto the Arena floor and saw the crowd for the first time and showing them your character for the first time".
"That feeling is something that I will never forget," she said.
What has happened to Comet on Gladiators?
While filming the last season of Gladiators, Comet suffered an accident that left her with multiple injuries.
She later confirmed on Instagram the extent of the damage, listing three ruptured ligaments, multiple talus fractures, a lisfranc fracture and dislocated bones.
Comet needed surgeries and was off her feet for three months while she recovered.
Sharing a picture of her in a medical boot on Instagram in February 2024, shortly after the episode aired, the star declared: "It goes to show that these things can EVEN happen to mighty Gladiators.
"I want you all to know that I’m fully recovered and fighting fitter than ever."
Gladiators returns on Saturday 18th January at 5:50pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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Authors
Charlotte Colombo is a Freelance Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, focussing on reality and competition shows. She previously worked at The Digital Fix, covering film and TV, and has an MA in Journalism.
Tilly Pearce is a freelance TV journalist whose coverage ranges from reality shows like Love Is Blind to sci-fi shows like Fallout. She is an NCTJ Gold Standard accredited journalist, who has previously worked as Deputy TV Editor (maternity cover) at Digital Spy, and Deputy TV & Showbiz Editor at Daily Express US.
