Bronte Jones, the firefighter and fitness coach who shot to fame on the BBC’s Gladiators, faced an unexpected challenge off the arena floor last night.
While walking to the O2 Arena for a live tour date, Bronte confronted a would-be thief and reportedly kicked him off his bike in self-defense during an attempted mugging in London.
The attack happened shortly after she left a nearby train station, and Bronte later confirmed the incident to the Daily Mail.
When asked about the mugger picking the wrong target, she laughed, acknowledging that her athleticism probably made him regret his choice.
Fans React to the Attack
One Gladiators fan in the audience at the London show told the Daily Mail, “In London’s no-go zones, anything goes.
This is the city Sadiq Khan has presided over, and no one is safe.
Not even a Gladiator star.” The comment highlights ongoing concerns about safety in certain parts of the capital.
Bronte’s Strength on Display
Bronte’s athleticism is well-documented on her Instagram, where she frequently showcases her physical feats.
From lifting 90kg weights to carrying 30kg sandbags, she clearly isn’t someone to mess with.
In one striking clip, she even performs fireman squats with a male on her shoulders while wearing a bikini on a sun-kissed beach.
The South Yorkshire firefighter announced her participation in the live Gladiators tour in September, expressing excitement about returning to the arena.
“Can’t wait to pull the kit back on, get in the arena, and bring the battle to YOU,” she wrote on social media.
Touring the UK and Celebrating Wins
Last week, Bronte shared highlights from the Liverpool tour stop, showing herself and a fellow contestant lifting a trophy in celebration.
She wrote, “Feeling so grateful to be part of this wild ride.
Huge love to the incredible crew who’ve worked tirelessly to bring it all to life. Next stop: London O2 this weekend… who’s joining us?!”
The Gladiators Effect
Bronte has said that competing on the show has changed her life.
In January, she told the BBC how meeting fans who recognized her from the 90s show was surreal.
“I’ll just be out in Meadowhall or Asda, and someone will come up to me and say, ‘Are you Bronte from Gladiators?’ It’s mad. I thought it would have stopped by now.”
A Growing Pattern of Violent Attacks
Bronte’s mugging comes on the heels of other high-profile assaults in central London.
TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher recently revealed she was violently attacked, prompting her partner Darren Clayton to call out both the Mayor and Metropolitan Police on social media.
Veteran broadcaster Selina Scott, 74, also shared her experience of being assaulted in broad daylight in Piccadilly earlier this year, saying, “I actually blame the Mayor of London.
More than I blame the police, because the Mayor of London took on the job to keep the people of London safe.”
London Crime Statistics Highlight Hotspots
Data obtained by the Daily Mail shows that some of London’s most exclusive postcodes, including Fitzrovia West and Soho, are also the worst areas for muggings.
Between Oxford Street and Shaftesbury Avenue alone, police recorded 508 robberies of individuals in the year to June 2025, with another 499 reported across Regent Street, New Bond Street, and parts of Oxford Street.
Mayor of London Responds
A spokesperson for the Mayor said, “What happened was deplorable.
Everyone in London should feel safe and be safe.
The Mayor is committed to doing everything he can to bear down on crime in all its forms.”
The statement emphasized that Sadiq Khan is working with city partners to boost visible policing, particularly in hotspot areas, and to strengthen the Met’s response to local community needs.
Measures include targeted approaches to tackling violent crime and robbery, especially during major events.
Bronte Jones Stands Strong
For Bronte, the incident is just another reminder that her strength and training go beyond the arena.
Fans can now admire not only her athletic prowess but her courage in standing up to danger when faced with it, proving that some Gladiators shine brightest outside the spotlight.