Bernadette Hunt, who was better known as Gladiators star Falcon, left a substantial sum to her children in her will after she died from cancer in 2023 aged 59
Bernadette Hunt, fondly remembered as Falcon from the legendary TV show Gladiators, left a hefty sum to her family in her will after sadly losing her battle with cancer in 2023 at the age of 59.
The surprising amount she bequeathed has now been revealed. The formidable gladiator left her son and daughter a total sum running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
After debts and costs were taken into account, Bernadette’s estate amounted to £293,000 from an original £444,000, according to probate documents seen by The Sun. This means her children, Adam and Angel, inherited nearly £300,000 from her will.
The much-loved 90s TV show Gladiators made a triumphant return last year, three decades after its first airing. However, just weeks before filming was due to start, Bernadette, affectionately known as Falcon, tragically passed away following her fight with cancer.
She had appeared in every series until its eventual cancellation, and her absence has certainly left a significant gap for fans everywhere. On the iconic show, members of the public went head-to-head with a team of ‘gladiators’, made up of bodybuilders and gymnasts, in a range of challenges.
Regularly pulling in over 14 million viewers, the original cast quickly became household names, propelling stars like stern referee John Anderson and hosts Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu to fame.
Rick Jango, the partner of Bernadette’s elder sister, shared the devastating news of her death in an emotional Facebook post. The poignant tribute stated: “It is with great sadness that I have to tell you of the death of my partner’s younger sister Bernadette Hunt. Most people will remember her as Falcon From the hit TV Show Gladiators.”
Rick continued: “I had the privilege to be in her company a few times and I have to say she was one of the most lovely people I have ever met. She never had a bad word to say about anyone, indeed she was always known as the nicest ‘Gladiator’, always stopping to speak and sign autographs for anyone. She had been battling cancer for a number of years until sadly she lost her fight R.I.P. Bernie.”
Throughout her time on Gladiators, Bernadette also appeared on International Gladiators from 1994 to 1995, and took part in three live performances.
She primarily took on challenges including Joust, Powerball and Tilt. Queen’s hit Breakthru served as her entrance music during her appearances, and she attracted a devoted following, with numerous fans affectionately calling her the ‘nicest Gladiator’.
Prior to her television career, the Brighton-born star had trained as both a ballerina and an aerobics instructor. Aged 18, she secured a place at the London Contemporary Ballet School, but a back injury put an end to her ballet ambitions.
She first made her mark in the competitive scene in 1992, bagging the Miss Natural Health title. Over time, she also clinched the titles of Miss Novice Britain, Miss London and Home Countries 1992, and Miss South Britain.
Following her exit from Gladiators in 1999, after the eighth series, Bernadette pivoted to a career as a personal trainer in Basingstoke. The tragic news of Bernadette’s passing was shared on 31 March.
She is survived by her partner Mark and their two children, Angel and Adam.
