JUST a few months ago it looked as though Fox was an endangered species. With the future of ITV's smash hit television show Gladiators looking doubtful, Southampton's very own foxy lady - Gladiator Fox, aka Tammy-Marie Baker - was contemplating hanging up her costume.

Rumours hinted that the popular game show was to be axed but now its future is assured - and loyal fans will once more be able to chant for their favourite Gladiator when the new series hits our screens later this month.

Fox has just completed filming on her third series of Gladiators - but followers of the show will notice a difference when it hits Britain's screens later this year.

Gone is the traditional format, with this year's special shows bringing back past successful competitors to try to find the champion of all champions and pitching Gladiator against Gladiator to find the ultimate male Gladiator. "It seems as if they have decided it is time for a change," said Tammy, who lives in Bassett.

"But Gladiators is the ultimate game show. They have tried to bring in things to take it over but nothing has been successful so far.

"If the viewing figures are as high for these special shows as they usually are then maybe we will carry on doing special shows.

"I am really looking forward to it. I love doing the filming, it is great fun.

"This year will be as hard as any other year because the contenders are more determined to win. "It is very hard work physically and mentally but it is definitely a challenge."

Just three years ago the Southampton fitness fanatic was picked from obscurity to become one of the South's best-known TV faces - Gladiator Fox. Working as a boxercise teacher and personal trainer, the 27-year-old had gone along to the tryouts to support her boyfriend, Keith Abadom.

But after being asked to give it a go she put heart and soul into the test and just two weeks later she was in Mauritius training with the rest of the show's stars.

"I will be devastated when the show comes to an end. But every show comes to an end some time." The show will first appear on Sky Digital next weekend and will fea-ture in the ITV schedule this autumn.

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