BBC Gladiators star Lightning's stunning body transformation and new life at 53 - Iqraa news

Betts is now 53 and has left her TV career behind

-Credit:Instagram: @kim_lightning_betts

Gladiators is back on our screens for another episode tonight as four contenders battle for a place in the semi-finals.

It's the second series of the BBC favourite, with father and son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh on hosting duties. The show proved a huge success when it was rebooted last year, 24 years after the original series aired for the final time, with an all-new lineup of Gladiators becoming a hit with viewers.

But one of the most popular members of the original cast has shown recently that she could still compete with her younger successors, having stunned fans with an incredible body transformation over 30 years after she shot to fame on the show.

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The only female Gladiator to star in all series of the original run of the show, Kim Betts - better known as Lightning - was one of the best formidable opponents in the arena and still looks like she would be up to the task at the age of 53.

The former professional gymnast and bodybuilder is still dedicated to exercise and enjoys showing off the stunning results of decades of keeping fit to her Instagram followers.

One shot sees her show off her washboard abs in a cropped fleece top, while another shows off her toned physique as she soaks up the sun on the beach.

Posing for a 'before and after' photo last month, Betts also displayed her age-defying figure as she posed next to a shot of her in her 90s heyday, with her six pack and pierced belly button front and centre. The photo was accompanied by the caption: "It’s never been about age. Health is your wealth. Balance of life is key."

Earlier this month, she also paid tribute to her husband Francis on their 28th wedding anniversary, with one of the photos she shared on Instagram showing off the couples' bulging biceps and toned physiques.

She married the former fireman turned bodybuilder in a stunning ceremony in Lichfield in 1997, with the couple sharing two children together. Betts famously gave birth to her son Lexus just three weeks before competing in the Gladiators arena for the 1999 series of the show.

After leaving her TV career behind, Betts' new life has also seen her work in property development and run a variety of companies including a beauty parlour and a fishery. She is also a director of fitness company 2B Lightning Fit, while her bodybuilding career has led her to huge success as she claimed three Miss Universe titles in 2020.

Reminiscing about her time on Gladiators during an appearance on This Morning, Betts said: "I still get lots of stories being sent to me saying, 'you inspired me so much, you changed my life, you motivated me,' and you think, 'wow'.

"It's only now I realise that it really was quite powerful, the message that it put across and how it did inspire and change people's lives."

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