Mr Fishburn said seeing his family "come together" had been his highlight from the Gladiators 2025 experience. "It was really incredible to have an occasion, not necessarily a sad one, where everyone can get behind you and get together," he explained. "Family is incredibly important to me." Ahead of taking on the Gladiators challenge, Mr Fishburn trained at Scarborough Gymnastics Academy. He devised a programme specific to the show under his coach Roddy Mackay, a former contestant in the original TV series. Mr Mackay said Mr Fishburn's victory was "amazing - I knew he could win it". "His gymnastic abilities and his rugby abilities are just the perfect match for Gladiators," he said.