James Crossley, the muscleman who shot to fame as Hunter on the iconic 1990s series Gladiators, has opened up about a surprising financial struggle early in his career. At 52, he recalls being forced to sign on the dole after spending all his earnings from the show during its second series.
From Gladiator Glory to Financial Hardship
Crossley landed the coveted role at the tender age of 19. To celebrate, following filming but before his debut aired, he treated himself to a lavish holiday to Los Angeles. Joined by fellow co-stars Kim Betts, Diane Youdale, and Mark Griffiths, better known as Lightning, Jet, and Trojan, James returned to the UK with a tan but an empty bank balance.
Signing On the Dole
Speaking on the Remember Me? podcast, he said: "When I came back, I basically had no money left, and I couldn’t work because I was doing Gladiators. So I remember signing on the dole when I’d finished the filming. I signed on for about five or six months, and then I started getting the appearances."
Gladiators star Hunter, real name James Crossley, explained that he was forced to "sign on the dole" after spending all his earnings from the iconic 90s show. He soon became a hit with viewers, dated show host Ulrika Jonsson, and earned money from TV and personal appearances.
Life After Gladiators
Following his last appearance as his alter ego in Sky's 2000 reboot, James has now swapped lycra for healthy living. He turned his back on showbiz and has trained as a yoga instructor as well as a gong bath practitioner.
Embracing Wellness Practices
According to Triyoga, gong baths are "highly rejuvenating for the body and bring about an overall sense of relaxation, which can reduce stress as well as help develop a better ability to cope with stress." Gone are his famous locks in favour of a clean-shaven head, complete with a salt and pepper beard.
James often takes to social media, where he leads yoga classes and shows off his gong bath techniques. He landed the coveted gig at the age of 19 and to celebrate, following filming but before his debut aired, treated himself to a lavish holiday to LA, leaving him skint.
Career Transformation and Public Appearances
According to his bio at the studio where he works, the former strongman and World Record holder decided to switch his training after a string of injuries. He discovered his love of healing and alternative medicine during a yoga retreat in Bali.
Still as buff as ever, the hunk continues to body build and also makes public appearances with his fellow Gladiators, including a 2022 spot on This Morning.
Romantic Link with Ulrika Jonsson
Ulrika was romantically linked to James, and while the pair initially denied they were involved, Ulrika penned about their relationship in her autobiography, Honest, released in 2003. They dated from 1996, with Ulrika admitting she was "infatuated" with her ex-beau.
Chatting with Vicky, Ulrika revealed that Hunter was only 22 years old when they first began dating, as she praised the former bodybuilder for being the "sweetest man." She said: "Obviously I dated Hunter for about a year and a half and away from the show he was amazing and the sweetest, sweetest man. He was only 22 when I think when I got together with him. Poor boy."
