Gladiators star Comet, also known as Ella-Mae Rayner, has married fitness expert James Exton in an intimate ceremony at St Albans Cathedral. The former gymnast stunned fans by forgoing a traditional white wedding dress in favour of a chic modern look.
A Modern Bridal Look
Comet posed outside the grand cathedral in the sunshine, wearing a fitted white blazer over a silk skirt, complemented by a large hat trimmed with organza. She accessorised with white pointed stilettos, a white bag, and a bouquet of calla lilies, proudly showing off her wedding ring beside her new husband.
James, who proposed last year, also broke from convention, wearing loose-fitting white trousers, a matching blazer, and black trainers.
The Proposal and Background
The couple got engaged in May 2025 in Corfu, with James proposing on a boat. Sharing the moment on social media, Ella wrote: “Yes in every single lifetime. I love you forever!”
Before joining Gladiators when the show was revamped three years ago, Ella was an elite gymnast. She told the BBC she was proud of her muscular physique, saying: “Previously, women have been told that being muscular just makes you look like a man, but that’s absolutely not the case.”
Recovery and Return
Ella suffered a major injury two seasons ago, falling 30ft from The Wall in an accident that almost left her unable to walk, forcing her to drop out of the competition. She made a full recovery and is expected to appear in the new series of Gladiators, which starts next year.
