Gladiators star surprises pupils in Alfreton on school visit
2025-01-30
Category: entertainment

One of the stars of BBC series Gladiators has paid a visit to a school in Derbyshire to promote good health and wellbeing.Steel, whose real name is Zack George, turned up at Woodbridge Junior School in Alfreton on Tuesday to deliver his "movement masterclass to children".He told pupils he had been overweight when he was a child and had little confidence but was now passionate about using his platform to make a difference."As a child, I knew what it was like to not be confident or comfortable in your own skin, so I want to use my platform to the best of my abilities and change that for other children," he told the BBC.
His session at Woodbridge was split into five sections: healthy balanced eating, exercise, mindset, confidence and hydration."It all starts with that inner belief and confidence", he said."Surround yourself with positive people and never let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve anything because anything is possible."
Emma Hanson, the school's head teacher, said pupils were in disbelief when Steel showed them a photograph of his old self."Having a role model like Zack, who showed a photo of his younger self and how he turned that around, is absolutely amazing for the children," she said."When Zack asked what the children want to be when they grow up, a lot of them shouted "gladiators", so he is a fantastic role model and is so positive."
Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.