By Dan Walsh
Enniscorthy native Lystus Ebosele, 24, joined the popular BBC television programme Gladiators as Cyclone in January 2025 but will not return for the 2026 series.
The Sun reports exclusively that she will not appear in the upcoming fourth series, while she maintains that she quit before BBC bosses could axe her.
“I have not been axed, I have left on my own accord,” she said, and added; “I’m so sorry to all the families that have come to filming expecting me to be there and have found out about my absence on arrival to the arena with no explanation.
“It’s not fair to the fans of the show, how things have transpired. It was the correct decision and one I don’t regret at all, she concluded.
Cyclone, whose real name is Lystus Ebosele, is a 5ft 10in Irish powerlifter born in Enniscorthy to Nigerian parents. She won the junior 84kg+ world title in 2023.
Lystus, the sister of Republic of Ireland footballer Festy Ebosele, quickly won over audiences and became an international television celebrity. Festy began his career with Moyne Rangers in their native Enniscorthy.
Last year she posted: “Secret’s finally out, I am so excited to finally be able to share this with you all, I’m joining Gladiators as Cyclone!”
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