Gladiators star surprises pupils on school visit

One of the stars of BBC series Gladiators has paid a visit to a school in Derbyshire to promote good health and wellbeing.

Steel, whose real name is Zack George, turned up at Woodbridge Junior School in Alfreton on Tuesday to deliver his "movement masterclass" to children.

He told pupils he had been overweight when he was a child and had little confidence but was now passionate about using his platform to make a difference.

"As a child, I knew what it was like to not be confident or comfortable in your own skin, so I want to use my platform to the best of my abilities and change that for other children," he told the BBC.

The visit, organised by Amber Valley Borough Council, was split into five sections: healthy balanced eating, exercise, mindset, confidence and hydration.

"It all starts with that inner belief and confidence", he said.

"Surround yourself with positive people and never let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve anything because anything is possible."

Emma Hanson, the school's head teacher, said pupils were in disbelief when Steel showed them a photograph of his old self.

"Having a role model like Zack, who showed a photo of his younger self and how he turned that around, is absolutely amazing for the children," she said.

"When Zack asked what the children want to be when they grow up, a lot of them shouted "gladiators", so he is a fantastic role model and is so positive."

Steel will now visit seven other schools as part of the initiative to get children to exercise and is receiving Public Health funding from Derbyshire County Council.

Councillor Carol Hart, cabinet member for health and communities at Derbyshire County Council said: "This is a really innovative use of Public Health funding and I am sure the workshops will be well received by all of the pupils".

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