Gladiators star Cyclone has addressed speculation surrounding her departure from the BBC competition, insisting she was not removed from the show. In an Instagram Stories post on Thursday, July 31, the 25-year-old Irish powerlifting champion, real name Lystus Ebosele, said she had chosen to "step away from the show for a few reasons".
Rumours emerged earlier in the week suggesting Ebosele had been dropped from the programme ahead of its fourth series. She set the record straight: "There are videos and so many different narratives circulating about me being 'axed' from the show I had previously been a part of. I have not been axed, I have left of my own accord."
Ebosele apologised to fans who had attended filming expecting her to appear: "I'm so sorry to all the families that have come to filming expecting me to be there, and have found out about my absence on arrival to the arena with no explanation, I truly am, because it's not fair to the fans of the show how things have transpired."
Reasons for leaving
Ebosele did not share the exact reasons behind her decision. She said she does not know "if or when" she will discuss them, but believes it was the "correct decision". In a separate Instagram post, she added: "In saying that... I would never ever regret my time on the show, I've made sisters and brothers 4 LIFE and I've gotten to inspire a generation of young girls to grow up knowing they can be STRONG, BEAUTIFUL and that they can UNAPOLOGETICALLY DOMINATE whatever world they choose. But there's no world in which I can stay and be a part of the show any longer. Thank you to everyone who has tuned in and supported me up until now it means the world. Love C."
Live tour and lineup changes
The 25-year-old reassured fans she will still appear in the Gladiators Live Tour in 2026. The nationwide tour begins in Aberdeen on October 10, and Ebosele said she is "very excited" to be involved.
Her exit follows news that fellow Gladiators Bionic and Athena will both miss the fourth series because of injuries. Giant has also been confirmed as absent from the upcoming season.
Before the new series airs, viewers can look forward to a celebrity special later this year. The one-off episode will feature Taskmaster stars Sara Pascoe and Chris Ramsey, Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu, and George Clarke's Amazing Spaces host George Clarke taking on the Gladiators.
Gladiators is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
