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Gladiators star Hunter reveals he’s quit show fame for very different ‘normal’ job – saying ‘it’s an odd twist’
GLADIATORS legend Hunter has turned his back on fame and has retrained to do a completely different job.
Hunter - real name James Crossley - shot to fame in the 90s thanks to the hit show and quickly became a household name.
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But as fans prepare themselves for a reboot, 50-year-old Hunter has opened up on life after Gladiators - and what he is up to now.
In a new chat with , the former bodybuilder revealed he runs a training school for gong practitioners, which he describes as "meditation to sound".
He explains: "I actually do sound healing and meditation events, which is an odd twist.
"I’ve got a training school, so I can certify people to be gong practitioners. It’s a meditation to sound.
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"If you’re suffering from bad sleep or stress, it puts you in a relaxed frame of mind. It's amazing for sleep and an excellent form of meditation."
He adds: "I think some people struggle to meditate and sit there with a blank mind. With sounds, it’s so much easier."
Hunter was just 19 years old when he was head-hunted to join the original Gladiators lineup and he became and instant pinup when the show hit screens.
He had been lifting weights since the age of 12 and dreamed of being crowned Mr Universe.
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But despite his muscular build, Hunter admits he found keeping up with his competitors and co-stars "horrific".
He said: "Not being that athletic at the time, I massively struggled.
I remember the producer came up to me in that first year and said, ‘Hunter, you’re awful'.
"That was a bit of a Rocky moment for me because I went on to train twice a day for six years.
"That’s how I became the ultimate Gladiator in the end. I think I peaked at two or three years in. My goal was to be good at everything."
Hunter stayed on the show for eight years before ITV pulled the plug.
He even went on to retrain as an actor and toured the globe with the Royal Shakespeare Company, before finding his passion for gong mediation.
Sadly for fans, Hunter won't be taking part in the BBC's reboot of Gladiators when it hits screens later this year.
But it doesn't mean he wouldn't like to try.
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“I’m still in decent shape," he said. "I’m 50 now, which is probably a bit old for them now.
"Probably my experience is good as any, but it would be fun to have a go at some aspects of the show.”
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