A star of Leeds Rhinos Women’s side is swapping the rugby pitch for the TV screens this week, and will be involved in a hit TV show.
Ella Donnelly, who has been with the Rhinos since the start of 2024, will be appearing on the BBC show ‘Gladiators’ this weekend, as rugby league is represented on the big screen.
Donnelly, who is currently a serving doctor in the British Army, but combines her role with playing for the Rhinos, will make her appearance on Saturday at 5:45pm.
She will be up against the Gladiators in a series of challenges, ending with the iconic ‘Eliminator’ where contestants battle to see who finishes the course fastest, and earns a place in the next round.
Through the show, she will go head-to-head with series regulars such as Diamond, Comet and Fury in challenges that test endurance, strength and speed – something that the Rhinos forward has plenty of given both of her roles as a rugby player and an army doctor.
Speaking on her new challenge, Donnelly couldn’t wait to finally reveal the news, after originally filming the show in August.
“It was a really good experience, and I’m excited to see it come out and the beginning of this year,” she said.
The BBC cameras were down at Kirkstall through the 2025 season to find out more about her playing career, and she got a proud following from all of her teammates when she competed on the show at Sheffield Arena.
She added: “I think the cameras probably got in the way of training a bit. The cameramen told me that Lois [Forsell, head coach] was formidable. They were trying to get shots whilst we were training.
“Some of the girls and Lois came along to support me in the arena. It was really nice, having them there, it made for a supportive environment.”
“I’ll see what offers come in.” she said jokingly when asked if she would be appearing on any more hit TV shows in the future.
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