Gladiators star Emily Steel has swapped the arena for the kitchen as she takes on Celebrity MasterChef. The 23-year-old, known as Dynamite on the BBC reboot, is among the celebrities competing in the 2026 series, cooking for judges Grace Dent and Giorgio Locatelli.
During her appearance, the Gladiator served a dish packed with chillies so fiery that Grace was left struggling with the heat and said she could no longer feel her mouth.
Who is Emily Steel?
Born in Greater Manchester in 2003, Emily grew up as a talented sportswoman and competed in swimming at national level until she was around 15. She eventually discovered CrossFit and quickly established herself as an elite competitor.
Emily became a European CrossFit champion in her age category in 2020 and has also competed internationally at major fitness events. She later turned her attention to weightlifting and made her mark on the British scene.
Why is she called Dynamite?
Emily has explained that Dynamite represents someone who is "small, explosive and dangerous". At around 5ft 5in, she may not be the biggest Gladiator, but her strength and speed have made her a formidable opponent.
When she first joined the reboot, Emily was only 20 and was the youngest Gladiator in the new line-up. She admitted she was too young to remember the original 1990s series, but her parents were fans of the original show and encouraged her to audition.
Emily Steel's weightlifting record
In 2023, Emily won gold at the BUCS Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting Championships in Bangor. Competing in the women's 64kg category, she lifted 71kg in the snatch and 100kg in the clean and jerk, giving her a 171kg total.
The clean and jerk performance saw her break the British U23 record. Emily had previously held a British under-20 snatch record. Her strength has also proved useful on Gladiators, where Dynamite has become known for her explosive power.
Surprise music career
Emily has also developed a career in music and has released original songs including Walking Away, Something Like This and Still Chasin' You. She pursues song writing and performing alongside her television and sporting commitments.
Emily keeps her love life largely private, with no confirmed public information identifying a current boyfriend or partner. Her social media presence centres heavily on fitness, Gladiators, music and her professional projects.
Celebrity MasterChef is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
