James Crossley (bodybuilder)

Life

James was considered the 'Ultimate Gladiator' after competing against fellow male gladiators in 1999, with Ace coming second. During this competition, James dislocated his shoulder in the first round and the producers wanted to pull him from the show. Following the demise of the UK show, he and a number of other gladiators and contestants went to South Africa to work on the show. Due to budget limitations, James and his travelling colleagues were paid with hospitality and trips, he reported in an interview with HFE. James now works as a fitness instructor and celebrity personal trainer in his own consultancy business, Chelsea Fitness.

James was in a relationship with the presenter of Gladiators, Ulrika Jonsson, from 1996-1997.

After Gladiators James studied as an actor. He has also presented Peak Performance which is aired on ITV. He toured a variety of plays over 8 years, including working for Sir Peter Hall for 2 years in the UK and US (2003–2004) in Shakespeare's As You Like It. Crossley has also worked extensively with the Hull Truck Company over a five-year period with John Godber, most recently in Godber's Up 'n' Under in 2010.