Fans of the BBC’s Gladiators reboot have been wondering why Diamond hasn’t appeared in recent episodes. The answer involves a serious knee injury that disrupted the filming of Series 3 and left Diamond’s alter ego, Livi Sheldon, facing surgery and a long recovery.
Birth Date: 18 May 1994 · Height: 6 feet · Squat Max: 120 kg · Appears On: BBC’s Gladiators (Series 1–3)
Quick snapshot
- Diamond is the Gladiator name of Livi Sheldon (Wikipedia)
- She suffered a full ACL and MCL rupture while filming Season 3 (Manchester Evening News, regional news outlet)
- Three other Gladiators were also injured during the same filming period (Wikipedia)
- Exact nature and severity of Diamond’s injury beyond the ACL/MCL tear (Wikipedia)
- Expected return date to Gladiators (Yahoo News UK)
- Relationship status with Giant (Gladiator) – not publicly confirmed by both parties (Express)
- Series 3 filming (2025) – Diamond injured along with three other Gladiators (Wikipedia)
- January 2026 – Series 3 airs; Diamond is absent (BBC Newsround)
- January 2026 – Diamond and Athena (another injured Gladiator) join the live tour after recovering enough to perform (Daily Mail)
- No official return date announced for Diamond on the main show (Radio Times)
- Sheldon has shared recovery updates on Instagram, including leg workouts (Yahoo News UK)
- Series 4 has not yet been confirmed by the BBC (BBC Media Centre)
The pattern: Diamond’s career arc is defined by a devastating injury that interrupted a promising run on the rebooted show.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Livi Sheldon |
| Date of Birth | 18 May 1994 |
| Height | 6 feet |
| Profession | Personal trainer, former professional bodybuilder |
| Gladiator Name | Diamond |
| Series Appeared | Series 1, 2, 3 (BBC reboot) |
What happened to Diamond from Gladiators?
Injury details and series three chaos
- Diamond suffered a full ACL and MCL rupture while filming the third season of Gladiators (Manchester Evening News, regional news outlet)
- She later underwent a three-hour surgery to repair the damage (Yahoo News UK)
- Three other Gladiators were also injured during the same filming block, described by the BBC as the most injury-plagued series to date (Wikipedia)
According to her own account, shared through the Manchester Evening News, Sheldon said: “While filming Gladiators, I suffered a full ACL and MCL rupture.” She added: “One moment I was in full action, the next I was facing surgery and a brand-new challenge: recovery.” (Manchester Evening News, regional news outlet)
Return status and future appearances
- Diamond did not appear in the broadcast episodes of Series 3, which aired from 17 January to 28 March 2026 (Radio Times)
- She returned to the Gladiators live tour alongside Athena, another injured Gladiator, but the main show was anticipated to return in January 2026 – now passed (Daily Mail)
- No official return date has been announced for Diamond on the main show (Express)
Diamond’s recovery is progressing, but without a confirmed return date, fans may have to wait until a potential Series 4 to see her back in the arena.
The implication: the injury hiatus is the single biggest interruption in Diamond’s Gladiators career, and the show’s future plans for her remain unconfirmed by the BBC.
Why has Diamond not been on Gladiators?
Injury in series three
Diamond was injured during the filming of series three. The injury is the reason for her absence from recent episodes. The show announced four injured gladiators.
Recovery and filming schedule
Sheldon has shared recovery updates on Instagram, including leg workouts, but no official return date has been announced for Diamond on the main show.
Who is Diamond from Gladiators’ boyfriend?
Relationship with Giant the Gladiator
- Livi Sheldon is in a relationship with Giant, another Gladiator on the reboot (Express)
- The relationship has not been publicly confirmed by both parties, but multiple sources report the pairing (Wikipedia)
Details about her partner remain scarce. Unlike some Gladiator couples, neither Diamond nor Giant has shared official confirmation or personal photos together on public platforms. The Express reported the relationship, but without a direct statement from either Gladiator, it remains in the “likely but unconfirmed” category.
Public information about her partner
- Giant (real name Jamie Christian Johal) is a martial artist and former bodyguard (Wikipedia)
- Neither Sheldon nor Johal has posted about the other on Instagram in a way that confirms a romantic relationship
The catch: the show keeps the personal lives of its Gladiators largely private, and fans rely on speculation and indirect reports. Until a joint statement or public appearance, the relationship is best described as a rumour with strong circumstantial evidence.
Is Diamond the Gladiator a footballer?
Her athletic background: bodybuilding and personal training
- Livi Sheldon is a former professional bodybuilder and personal trainer (Wikipedia)
- She is not a footballer; her athletic career is rooted in strength sports and fitness coaching (GladiatorsTV.com, fan site)
Sheldon’s physique and strength – she can squat 120 kg – come from years of competitive bodybuilding, not football. The confusion likely arises because the Gladiators cast includes several former athletes from various sports, but Diamond’s background is firmly in the gym, not on the pitch.
Comparison to professional football
- Sheldon has no known history of playing professional or semi-professional football
- Her height (6 feet) and athletic build may lead to assumptions, but her competitive arena is bodybuilding and personal training
The pattern: in a cast that includes former rugby players, sprinters, and powerlifters, Diamond is one of the few Gladiators who came directly from the bodybuilding world, making her a specialist in strength rather than ball sports.
If the BBC orders a Series 4, Diamond’s recovery timeline will determine whether she can return to the physically demanding events. A full ACL recovery typically takes 9–12 months, and she is already several months into that process.
What nationality is Diamond from Gladiators?
Birthplace and nationality
Livi Sheldon is English, born in England. Her nationality is English.
Representation on Gladiators
She represents the show as an English Gladiator.
Timeline
- 18 May 1994 – Livi Sheldon born in England (Wikipedia)
- 2023 – Diamond debuts in BBC Gladiators Series 1 (Wikipedia)
- 2024 – Series 2 filmed and broadcast (Wikipedia)
- 2025 (filming) – Series 3 filming; Diamond injured along with three other Gladiators (Wikipedia)
- January 2026 – Series 3 airs; Diamond absent from episodes (BBC Newsround)
- Early 2026 – Diamond joins live tour after recovery progress (Daily Mail)
What we know vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Livi Sheldon is Diamond on BBC’s Gladiators (Wikipedia)
- She is 6 feet tall (Wikipedia)
- She is English (Wikipedia)
- She was injured during Series 3 filming (Manchester Evening News, regional news outlet)
- Four Gladiators were injured during Series 3 (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact nature and severity of Diamond’s injury beyond ACL/MCL tear (Wikipedia)
- Expected return date to Gladiators (Yahoo News UK)
- Details of relationship with Giant (not publicly confirmed by both parties) (Express)
Quotes from Diamond and the show
“While filming Gladiators, I suffered a full ACL and MCL rupture. One moment I was in full action, the next I was facing surgery and a brand-new challenge: recovery.”
Livi Sheldon (Diamond), via Manchester Evening News, regional news outlet
“Diamond will be greatly missed by fans after suffering a leg injury during filming of the third series.”
Yahoo News UK
“The third series saw the most Gladiator injuries to date.”
Wikipedia
Diamond’s own words and the show’s coverage paint a picture of a serious injury that interrupted a rising star’s momentum. The question now is whether she will return to the main arena or transition to a different role. For Diamond, the choice is clear: continue her recovery and aim for a full return to Gladiators, or risk being sidelined for the next series entirely.
Frequently asked questions
What is Diamond’s real name?
Livi Sheldon.
How tall is Diamond?
6 feet.
When did Diamond start on Gladiators?
She debuted in Series 1 of the BBC reboot in 2023.
Is Diamond still on Gladiators?
She is currently absent due to injury; no official return date has been announced.
What kind of injury did Diamond have?
A full ACL and MCL rupture, requiring three-hour surgery.
Who are the other injured Gladiators in series three?
At least three other Gladiators were injured during filming; the BBC confirmed it was the most injury-plagued series.
Is Diamond a footballer?
No, she is a former professional bodybuilder and personal trainer.
What nationality is Diamond?
English.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.