Dundee gym owner Sheli McCoy compared to Gladiators legend by fans as viewing figures revealed

Dundee gym owner Sheli McCoy has been compared to a Gladiators legend by fans after the show returned on Saturday.

The 35-year-old appears as “ferocious” Sabre in the rebooted BBC series.

And her character has already been compared to 90s icon Diane Youdale, who played Gladiator Jet in the original show.

The revival has been a hit with viewers as the BBC revealed more than 6 million tuned in to watch the first episode.

Fans compare Dundee gym owner to 90s icon Jet

Fans of the show have taken to social media to praise the reboot – and have drawn comparisons between Sabre and former star Jet.

X, formerly Twitter, user London Hatred said: “Sabre’s the new Jet, right? I mean, the answer is yes”.

Account Carry On 90s wrote: “Gotta say Gladiators is turning out really good fun!

“Sabre is the new Jet for me”.

For all the old JET #FANS You're welcome #Gladiators pic.twitter.com/fXDVta65u8

— Rusty Rover (@davidbrfc) January 13, 2024

Robert McGovern also posted: “So is Sabre the new Jet?”

Michael Wyles agreed and said: “Sabre is definitely the new Jet! Dynamite is a close second!”

While DeanC_2024 wrote: “After looking at the new Gladiators, I think Sabre will be this generation’s crush like Jet was back in the 90s for us”.

Gladiator ‘overwhelmed by love’ after first TV appearance

Sheli – who runs the SweatBox Dundee gym on Camperdown Road – said she is “living the dream” as she thanked supporters online.

She wrote on Instagram: “Overwhelmed by the love, the messages and the acceptance on this day and truly thankful for the opportunity to be living the dream.”

Sheli previously told The Courier how watching Gladiators with her parents as a kid inspired her to take on a new role in the relaunched TV series.