Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley has announced the death of her father Phil Ounsley at the age of 56, saying she is "heartbroken" by the sudden family loss. Jodie, who is set to take part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special , announced the news yesterday via social media.

Best known by her Gladiator name Fury, Jodie called her father her "absolute hero" who "loved me wholeheartedly".

Taking to Instagram to share the sad announcement along with some pictures of her dad, Jodie wrote: "Yesterday, my dad suddenly passed away while doing one of his favourite things – walking Pen-y-Ghent.

"He had hiked that peak countless times throughout his life, but none of us knew he wouldn’t walk back down that day.

"I don’t have the words. All I can say is that he was, and always

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