Gladiators star Comet, whose real name is Ella Mae Rayner, has confirmed she will not appear in the upcoming fourth series of the BBC show, which is currently filming. The former gymnast, who joined the cast in 2023, revealed her absence in a comment on an Instagram fan page, expressing regret that fans were not informed earlier.
Comet's Announcement and Subtle Dig
In her Instagram comment, Rayner wrote: 'Thank you for mentioning and acknowledging all my skills that were never aired. And I am so sorry to all the fans and families who were not told about my absence this season. I will be there for the tour and I can't wait to see you all.' The comment appears to include a subtle criticism of the BBC for not publicizing her departure.
Rayner's exit had not been previously announced, and Metro has contacted both her and the BBC for comment. Her statement comes amid reports that several other Gladiators have been dropped from the series, though Comet was not initially listed among them.
Other Gladiators Exits
Reports indicate that Cyclone, Athena, and Bionic will not return for the new series. Cyclone, whose real name is Lystus Ebosele, has since clarified that her departure was voluntary. In a statement, she addressed 'many different narratives circulating about me being “axed” from the show', insisting, 'I have not been axed, I have left on my own accord.'
Ebosele, an Irish powerlifting champion, apologized to families who attended filming expecting to see her, saying, 'I am so sorry to all the families that have come to filming expecting me to be there, and have found out about my absence on arrival to the arena with no explanation, I truly am, but it's not fair to fans of the show how things have transpired.' She added that she made the decision to step away for several reasons but did not know 'if or when' she would discuss them, concluding, 'Ultimately it was the correct decision and one I don't regret at all.'
Fan-Favorite Giant's Earlier Exit
The exits have created a turbulent lead-up to the new series, which will also exclude fan-favorite star Giant, who was axed in April amid claims his departure was linked to his then-girlfriend being an OnlyFans creator. The show's fourth series is currently in production, and the departures have sparked discussions among fans about the future lineup.
As the BBC prepares to air the new season, the confirmed absences of multiple Gladiators, including Comet, Cyclone, Athena, Bionic, and Giant, signal significant changes to the cast. Rayner's promise to appear on the upcoming tour offers fans a chance to see her in person, even as her TV role comes to an end.
