Jodie Ounsley: From Rugby Trailblazer to Gladiators Star Fury

Jodie Ounsley has built an extraordinary career across professional sports, television, broadcasting, and advocacy. Best known today as Fury on Gladiators, the British athlete first attracted attention through rugby, where she broke barriers as a profoundly deaf player competing at the highest levels of the sport.

Born in England in 2001, Ounsley did not allow hearing loss to define what she could achieve. Her journey has included rugby sevens, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, deaf athletics, professional club rugby, television, and work supporting the deaf community.

For American viewers who have discovered Jodie Ounsley through Gladiators, her story goes much further than the powerful Fury character seen on television. She was already an accomplished athlete before entering the arena and has become a recognizable advocate for greater representation in sports.

Who Is Jodie Ounsley?

Jodie Ounsley is an English athlete, television personality, author, broadcaster, and former professional rugby union player. She was born on January 17, 2001, in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England.

Ounsley made history in rugby by becoming the first deaf female player to represent a senior England rugby side. She played rugby sevens internationally and later competed professionally for several English clubs.

Her public profile expanded significantly when she joined the revived television series Gladiators as Fury. The role introduced her to an audience beyond rugby and gave her another platform to represent deaf athletes.

Ounsley is also a former British Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion and has competed in athletics. That multi-sport background helps explain the combination of speed, strength, and physical confidence she displays as Fury.

Jodie Ounsley’s Age, Birthday, and Early Life

Jodie Ounsley was born on January 17, 2001, making her 25 years old as of 2026.

She grew up in Dewsbury in West Yorkshire. Ounsley was born prematurely, and medication she required early in life affected her hearing. She became profoundly deaf and received a cochlear implant when she was a toddler.

Her hearing loss created practical challenges, particularly in competitive environments where athletes often depend on whistles and spoken instructions. However, sport quickly became an important part of her childhood.

Long before becoming a professional rugby player, Ounsley demonstrated considerable athletic ability. She competed in sprinting, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and the unusual Yorkshire tradition of coal carrying.

These early experiences helped build the competitive personality that would later become familiar to viewers of Gladiators.

Is Jodie Ounsley Deaf?

Yes. Jodie Ounsley is profoundly deaf and uses a cochlear implant.

A cochlear implant differs from a conventional hearing aid. Instead of simply amplifying sound, the electronic device can provide access to sound by stimulating the auditory nerve.

Her deafness has been an important part of her public story, but it has never been the only thing that defines her career.

During her rugby years, Ounsley wore protective headgear that helped protect her cochlear implant. Communication on the field could also require adaptation because rugby players regularly rely on referees’ whistles and verbal calls.

Ounsley eventually became an important figure in deaf sport and has used her public platform to encourage young people with disabilities to pursue their ambitions.

Jodie Ounsley’s Sporting Background

Rugby may have brought Jodie Ounsley widespread recognition, but it was far from the first sport in which she excelled.

She competed in athletics as a young athlete and participated internationally in deaf sport. Sprinting suited her natural speed, an attribute that would later prove extremely valuable as a rugby winger.

Ounsley also trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and became a British champion. Combat sports were familiar territory in her family, with her father, Phil Ounsley, having a background in martial arts.

Another unusual achievement came through the World Coal Carrying Championships, a traditional competition associated with her home region of Yorkshire. Ounsley won junior events multiple times and later continued her connection with the competition.

Together, athletics, grappling, strength training, and rugby created an unusually broad sporting foundation.

Jodie Ounsley’s Rugby Career

Ounsley began playing rugby as a teenager and progressed remarkably quickly.

Her combination of acceleration, strength, and determination made her well suited to playing on the wing. She represented Yorkshire at youth level before progressing into the England setup.

Her club career included spells with Loughborough Lightning, Sale Sharks Women, and Exeter Chiefs Women.

The most significant milestone came in 2019 when Ounsley represented the senior England rugby sevens team. In doing so, she became the first deaf female rugby player to represent a senior England side and a groundbreaking figure in international rugby sevens.

She competed on the World Rugby Sevens Series and scored her first World Series try in Cape Town in December 2019.

Ounsley was also included in the wider Great Britain women’s rugby sevens setup during the period leading toward the Tokyo Olympics.

Her professional rugby career eventually took her to Exeter Chiefs Women. Injuries affected parts of her time at the club, and in April 2024 she announced that she was stepping away from professional rugby.

The decision allowed her to focus on growing opportunities outside the sport, including television and broadcasting.

Jodie Ounsley as Fury on Gladiators

For many television viewers, Jodie Ounsley is simply known as Fury.

She joined the BBC revival of Gladiators, which began airing in 2024. The competition series places members of the public against a group of highly trained Gladiators in demanding physical events.

Fury’s character fits naturally with Ounsley’s athletic background. Years of rugby and combat sports gave her the power, speed, tackling ability, and competitive instincts required for the program.

Her appearance also carried wider significance because Ounsley became the show’s first deaf Gladiator.

Interestingly, the Ounsley family’s connection with Gladiators began before Jodie joined the cast. Her father, Phil Ounsley, had appeared as a contender on an earlier version of the program in 2008.

Years later, his daughter entered the arena as one of the Gladiators themselves.

Life Beyond Rugby and Gladiators

Jodie Ounsley’s career has continued to expand outside professional sport.

She worked in broadcasting during coverage of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, adding another dimension to her media career. Her experience as a deaf elite athlete made her a particularly relevant voice in conversations surrounding disability and competitive sport.

She has also become an author. Her work includes books aimed at encouraging young readers to develop confidence, resilience, and strength.

These projects reflect a theme that has followed Ounsley throughout her career: encouraging young people to recognize that being different does not have to prevent them from pursuing ambitious goals.

Jodie Ounsley’s Family

Sport played an important role in Jodie Ounsley’s family life.

Her father, Phil Ounsley, had a background in professional mixed martial arts and encouraged his daughter’s involvement in physical activity. He was also connected to the Gladiators franchise through his own appearance as a contender.

Jodie has spoken publicly about the important role her father played in her sporting development. Phil died suddenly in 2025, and she subsequently spoke about dealing with the loss while continuing with her career.

Her younger brother also played rugby, helping make the sport part of family life before Jodie developed her own professional career.

Jodie Ounsley’s Partner and Personal Life

Ounsley has generally kept much of her private life separate from her professional identity.

In a 2026 interview with The Guardian, she publicly discussed her girlfriend, Ellen, while talking about the people supporting her following her father’s death.

Outside television, Ounsley’s interests and projects remain closely connected to sport, confidence, inclusion, and helping younger people.

Despite playing the intimidating Fury on television, her public interviews often reveal a more reserved personality away from competition.

How Tall Is Jodie Ounsley?

Published profiles generally list Jodie Ounsley at approximately 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters) tall, although some older profiles have reported slightly different measurements.

Her athletic build was developed through years of high-level training across rugby, athletics, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and strength-based competition.

Rather than height alone, Ounsley’s combination of speed and physical power became one of her biggest advantages throughout her rugby career and remains a major part of her Fury persona.

Jodie Ounsley’s Achievements

Ounsley’s career includes accomplishments across several very different sports and fields.

She became the first deaf woman to represent a senior England rugby side, competed internationally in rugby sevens, won a British Brazilian jiu-jitsu title, competed in deaf athletics, and became the first deaf Gladiator on the modern British television series.

She was named Deaf Sports Personality of the Year in 2020 and later became Honorary President of UK Deaf Sport. In 2023, she was also included in the BBC Woman’s Hour Power List focused on women in sport.

Her accomplishments are especially notable because they cross professional sport, disability representation, broadcasting, television entertainment, and children’s publishing rather than remaining within a single field.

Jodie Ounsley and Deaf Representation in Sport

One of the most significant aspects of Jodie Ounsley’s public career is her visibility as a deaf athlete.

Elite sports environments can present additional communication challenges for deaf competitors. Ounsley’s career showed that these challenges could be addressed through preparation, adaptation, and support.

She has also been associated with The Elizabeth Foundation, an organization supporting young deaf children and their families.

Through rugby, television appearances, public speaking, and other projects, Ounsley has become a visible example for young deaf athletes who may rarely see people with similar experiences represented in mainstream sport.

Interesting Facts About Jodie Ounsley

Jodie Ounsley has one of the more unusual sporting backgrounds among modern television personalities. She was born in West Yorkshire in 2001, is profoundly deaf, and has used a cochlear implant since early childhood.

Before becoming Fury, she competed in sprinting, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, coal carrying, and elite rugby. She became a senior England rugby sevens international and later played professional club rugby.

Her connection with Gladiators is also a family story. Her father competed on an earlier version of the show years before Jodie was selected to become Fury.

She has since expanded into broadcasting and writing while continuing to promote confidence and greater visibility for deaf people in sport.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jodie Ounsley

Who is Jodie Ounsley?

Jodie Ounsley is a British former professional rugby player, athlete, author, broadcaster, and television personality. She is widely known as Fury from Gladiators.

How old is Jodie Ounsley?

Jodie Ounsley was born on January 17, 2001. She is 25 years old as of 2026.

Is Jodie Ounsley deaf?

Yes. Jodie Ounsley is profoundly deaf and uses a cochlear implant.

What is Jodie Ounsley’s Gladiator name?

Her name on Gladiators is Fury. She became the first deaf Gladiator on the show.

Did Jodie Ounsley play rugby for England?

Yes. Ounsley represented England in rugby sevens and became the first deaf female rugby player to play for a senior England side.

What rugby teams did Jodie Ounsley play for?

Her senior club career included Loughborough Lightning, Sale Sharks Women, and Exeter Chiefs Women.

Is Jodie Ounsley still playing professional rugby?

No. Ounsley retired from professional rugby union in 2024 to pursue opportunities outside the sport.

Who is Jodie Ounsley’s partner?

Ounsley has publicly referred to her girlfriend, Ellen, including in a 2026 interview discussing her personal life and family.

Jodie Ounsley’s Journey From Rugby to Television

Jodie Ounsley’s career is difficult to place into just one category. She has been a sprinter, martial arts competitor, England rugby sevens player, professional rugby winger, television Gladiator, broadcaster, author, and advocate for deaf representation.

Her transition from the rugby field to becoming Fury on Gladiators brought her story to a much wider audience. Yet the accomplishments that came before television are just as important to understanding who she is.

From becoming a history-making deaf England rugby player to competing on one of Britain’s best-known physical entertainment programs, Ounsley has repeatedly entered spaces where few people with her background had previously been visible.

At only 25 in 2026, her professional rugby chapter may have ended, but her career in television, media, publishing, sport, and advocacy continues to develop.

Also read: Susie Dent Net Worth: How the Countdown Star Built Her Career