A FORMER Hinchingbrooke schoolgirl will be hanging tough as one of the new batch of gladiators for the relaunched classic 1990s TV show. Caroline Pearce, 27, will be known to millions as Ice when Gladiators hits the nation s screens on Sky One next month

A FORMER Hinchingbrooke schoolgirl will be hanging tough as one of the new batch of gladiators for the relaunched classic 1990s TV show.

Caroline Pearce, 27, will be known to millions as Ice when Gladiators hits the nation's screens on Sky One next month.

Caroline, who also went to Huntingdon Junior School, told The Hunts Post: "It is a dream come true - I remember watching the show when I was a girl and thinking 'I would love to do that'."

Caroline, a former heptathlete and bobsleigh racer, represented England as a teenage runner (as well as Hunts Athletics Club) and achieved a first-class honours degree in sports science from Loughborough University.

She was selected from more than 20,000 hopeful applicants to become one of the 12 new gladiators for the series.

She said: "It has all happened very quickly. A colleague I was training with suggested I apply to be a contender but I said no way, I'd always wanted to be a Gladiator.

"There were 60 of us attending the physical trials but we were knocked down to 16 for the second audition where it was more about showmanship."

Hosted by former footballer Ian Wright and Kirsty Gallagher, the show features a new line-up of gladiators, with names such as Predator, Spartan and Battleaxe.

However, classic games will be returning to the show, including The Wall, Powerball and Hang Tough, which will be held over water.

Caroline said: "I have my specialist events and my character is cool, calm and collected so I am looking forward to getting stuck into the contenders.

"My favourite Gladiator from the 1990s show was Jet and I have been fortunate enough to meet her and take some tips from her.

"I don't think it will be until I see myself on screen that I will really believe it."

Only child Caroline now lives in north London with her partner and works as a sports model and promoting sports products.

Her father John, who lives in Hartford Road, Huntingdon, said: "We are very proud of her. She has always been very determined and I know she'll be an excellent Gladiator."

INFORMATION: Gladiators will air on Sky One on May 10.