Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley, known as Fury, has announced the sudden death of her father, Phil Ounsley, who collapsed while climbing Pen-y-Ghent in the Yorkshire Dales. The 56-year-old is believed to have suffered a heart attack during the ascent.
Emergency crews, including an air ambulance, were called to the 2,277ft summit but were unable to save him. In an emotional Instagram post, Jodie shared a photograph of herself as a baby in her father's arms and paid tribute to him.
She wrote: "Heartbroken. Yesterday, my dad suddenly passed away while doing one of his favourite things - walking Pen-y-Ghent. He had hiked that peak countless times throughout his life, but none of us knew he wouldn't walk back down that day. I don't have the words. All I can say is that he was, and always will be, my absolute hero."
A source described Phil as "perfectly fit and healthy" and said his death had come as a shock to all who knew him. They added that he was a "genuinely great guy" who did a lot for charity and was the last person anyone would expect such a tragedy to happen to.
Jodie, who is set to film her stint for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special next Tuesday, is also a former professional rugby player, having represented England sevens and played for the Chiefs, Loughborough Lightning and Sale Sharks.
