'I heard a snap' - jet talks about neck injury that ended her gladiators days

Gladiators favourite Jet knew exactly the moment to walk away from one of the biggest television shows of the 1990s – because she was still able to walk. Jet - aka Diane Youdale - was arguably the biggest name and face of the entertainment show that ran from 1992 to 2000, but bowed out in 1996 after a serious neck injury sustained during a live show.

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“I heard a snap and I’ve heard those noises before, when you break bone or ligament,” she told the newly-launched GladPod, a podcast celebrating the hit TV show Gladiators.

"It’s quite loud and it came from my neck area, but as I could breathe I knew I hadn’t broken my neck. That was it for me, though, I didn’t want to go back into the arena. I just thought ‘it’s not worth it.’ Some of the others lived for being a gladiator, but for me, it was another job I was fit enough to do.”

To find out more about Diane’s time on one of the shows that defined the 90s, what she has done since – and what she wants to do next – search and subscribe to the GladPod through your usual podcast suppliers. Or click here.