Viewers of BBC One's Gladiators will likely remember Zavia - the impressive contestant who made short work of the heats, leaving the Gladiators in the dust and progressing to the quarter finals. 

What you might not have known is that Zavia is in fact a Cheadle resident, and a keen volunteer at local projects across Stockport.

We spoke to her to learn more about her background, her volunteering, and what it's like behind the scenes on Gladiators...

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Zavia moved to Cheadle a few years ago, and works in fashion following a career change from personal training. 

It's perhaps no surprise that Zavia already has an impressive sporting background. 

She's represented the UK in natural bodybuilding, and as a younger performer she finished sixth in the UK in pole vaulting.  

And as a long-time fan of Gladiators, she describes appearing as a contestant as like "living a childhood dream". 

"I was in the live audience for the last series, and was absolutely in awe", she said. "It really is a dream to be a contestant. If I met myself as a child, I'd think it was all so cool."

Zavia with Gladiators presenter Bradley Walsh (Image supplied)

Gladiators' first episode in this series - which Zavia featured in - boasted an impressive 4.76 million viewers. 

It featured some gruelling challenges, one of which was 'The Edge'- a giant lattice suspended high in the air which the contestants must run across, with a fearsome gladiator determined to throw them off. 

It's an example of how tough the challenges really are. "When I got there, my heart sank", Zavia said. "I'm not afraid of heights, but that one was terrifying." 

Speaking of the show as a whole, she added: "It's really tough. The Gladiators go hard - you've got people absolutely battering you!

"It's definitely harder than I thought it was going to be, but it's so much fun." 

But the toughness is underpinned by a tremendous sense of warmth and mutual support behind the scenes. Both the contestants and the Gladiators are always offering support and advice, even in the heat of the competition. 

There's a brilliant sense of camaraderie backstage on Gladiators, Zavia explains (Image supplied)

As Zavia explains: "There's such a big sense of camaraderie - I've made friends for life. 

"We're always bigging each other up - everybody is being really supportive."

Above all, the show is an example of what can happen if you push your limits. 

"It's given me a massive confidence boost in what I can do", Zavia explained. "I'm an average person - all I did was just put myself out of my comfort zone. 

"If you push yourself, you'd be surprised what you're capable of doing."

The series continues in the quarter finals - stay tuned to the BBC website for updates. 

Zavia has also been involved in lots of local projects, including at the Landing and at Cracking Good Food in Brinnington (Image supplied)

But naturally, such thrills and challenges call for some downtime. 

Between her sporting escapades, Zavia is a keen volunteer at a number of projects across Stockport. 

One of the places she's worked at is The Landing - a little patch of greenery above the Merseyway Centre which grows natural produce for local restaurants and more. 

She's also worked at Cracking Good Food in Brinnington, and has also helped share her knowledge on nutrition and staying healthy with others all across Stockport borough. 

"I didn't know the area when I moved here, so I started volunteering", Zavia explained. "I just thought it'd be a good way to know the community better. 

"The Landing is a really good example. Something as small as coming to a little garden can really change people's lives."

We'd like to wish Zavia all the best for the rest of the show! We're cheering you on here in Stockport.

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