A Gladiators finalist shared a harrowing tale last night, revealing how she thwarted an attempted mugging in London while on her way to a tour event. The incident unfolded as Bronte Jones, a firefighter and online fitness coach, was heading to the O2 arena for a live show of the popular BBC series.

Jones, known for her remarkable strength and agility, managed to fend off the would-be thief, reportedly using her skills to kick the thug off his bike. The altercation occurred while she was walking from a train station, according to sources.

When approached by the Daily Mail, Bronte confirmed the mugging attempt. With a laugh, she acknowledged the irony of the attacker choosing her as a target given her athletic prowess, though she chose not to provide further details about the incident.

One audience member who heard Bronte recount her experience during the show remarked on the unpredictability of London’s more dangerous areas, saying, “In London’s no-go zones, anything goes.” The story underscores the resilience and bravery of the Gladiators star, even when faced with unexpected challenges.

One Gladiators’ fan who was in the audience when Bronte told the crowd about her ordeal told this newspaper: ‘In London’s no-go zones, anything goes.

‘This is the city Sadiq Khan has presided over, and no one is safe. Not even a Gladiator star.’

Bronte regularly posts videos of herself on her Instagram account showcasing her strength, where she is seen lifting 90kg weights and carrying 30kg sandbags. 

In one clip, she is seen on a sun-kissed beach wearing a bikini while doing fireman squats with a male on her shoulders.

Firefighter and online fitness coach Bronte Jones fended off a would-be thief as she travelled to the O2 arena to appear in the Gladiators live tour

Last week Bronte shared snaps from the event in Liverpool where she is seen holding a trophy aloft with a fellow contestant, and wrote about her excitement heading to the O2

Bronte announced in September that she had been selected alongside a host of former contestants from series one and two to take part in the tour. 

She posted on her Instagram account at the time that she ‘can’t wait to pull the kit back on, get in the arena, and bring the battle to YOU’. 

Last week Bronte shared snaps from the event in Liverpool where she is seen holding a trophy aloft with a fellow contestant, and wrote about her excitement heading to the O2. 

‘Feeling so grateful to be part of this wild ride,’ she said. ‘Huge love to the incredible crew who’ve worked tirelessly to bring it all to life. 

‘Next stop: London O2 this weekend… who’s joining us?!’

The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighter, from Sheffield, told the BBC in January how competing in last year’s show had changed her life. 

The Gladiators superfan, who used to watch reruns of the 90s show with her sister, said: ‘I’ll just be out in Meadowhall or Asda, and someone will come up to me and say “are you Bronte from Gladiators?” It’s mad, I thought it would have stopped by now.’

The attempted mugging on Bronte comes weeks after Kirsty Gallacher tearfully revealed she had been violently assaulted in central London.

Her boyfriend Darren Clayton took to Instagram to voice his anger over the attack, telling the Mayor of London and Metropolitan Police they needed to take a ‘long hard look at themselves.’

Bronte reached last year’s final of Gladiators and told the BBC in January how the show had changed her life

Bronte regularly posts videos of herself on her Instagram account showcasing her strength, where she is seen lifting 90kg weights and carrying 30kg sandbags

The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighter, from Sheffield, is a Gladiators superfan and watched reruns of the 90s show with her sister

The 39-year-old wrote: ‘I’m incredibly proud of my wonderful lady for standing up for what is right.

‘A word of warning to the parasite who thought it was okay to cross her – I wish you good luck, because your days are numbered. You have definitely crossed the wrong woman.

‘@Mayorofldn and @metpolice_uk you really need to take a long hard look at yourselves.’

Veteran broadcaster Selina Scott, 74, also blamed Sir Sadiq after she was left ‘battered’ and ‘humiliated’ after a gang of thieves assaulted her in broad daylight before stealing all her valuables outside a branch of Waterstones in Piccadilly in June.

‘Sir Mark Rowley had the decency to apologise,’ Ms Scott told The Telegraph in August. 

‘I actually blame the Mayor of London. More than I blame the police, actually, because the Mayor of London took on the job to keep the people of London safe, the police come under him.’

The Daily Mail revealed in July that London’s most exclusive postcodes make up the worst hotspots for muggings.

Fitzrovia West and Soho in central London had seen some of the highest rates of robberies of individuals in the year to June 2025.

In one area that covers both Oxford Street and Shaftesbury Avenue, a total of 508 muggings were reported to police.

Another 499 robberies of individuals were recorded in the area including Regent Street, New Bond Street and sections of Oxford Street in the same time period.

Spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: ‘What happened was deplorable. Everyone in London should feel safe and be safe and the Mayor is committed to doing everything he can to bear down on crime in all its forms.

‘Sadiq is working with partners across the city to ensure everyone living in and visiting London, including those attending big events, feels safe and has invested record amounts in the Met police to revitalise visible neighbourhood policing across our city.

‘This includes visible policing in hotspot areas, and strengthening the Met’s ability to respond to local community needs and supporting a targeted approach to tackling all crime, including robbery. The Mayor will continue to do everything possible to tackle violent crime as we build a safer London for everyone.’