Jodie Ounsley, the first deaf female rugby player to represent a senior England side, has reflected on her journey from a tough youngster to becoming Fury on the BBC revival of Gladiators. Born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in 2001, Ounsley was a former England rugby sevens player before joining the hit TV show in 2024. She also worked as a presenter for the 2024 Paralympics.
Describing her childhood as determined and fearless, Ounsley recalled how she was the only girl in school who loved contact sports. 'I always liked bashing into people,' she said, noting that she tried ballet and tap but found rugby was her true calling. Her father, a former contestant on the original Gladiators, was a key inspiration, introducing her to martial arts and even the World Coal Carrying Championships.
Ounsley was born profoundly deaf and received a cochlear implant at 14 months. Initially advised against contact sports due to the risk of dislodging the implant, she eventually found a solution with a scrum cap. She went on to earn her first England cap, a moment she describes as one of her proudest achievements.
Her application to become a Gladiator was driven by a desire to help disabled children. 'I wanted to make the world a better place for disabled people,' she said. 'Nothing should hold you back, no matter who you are.' Her second book, Strong Girls, co-written with Becky Grey, is set for release on 9 April.
