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Gladiator's Fury star Jodie Ounsley's famous dad, Phil Ounsley, has tragically died aged 56, after collapsing on one of Yorkshire's three peaks. It has been reported that the mixed martial arts expert and former Gladiator suffered a suspected heart attack at Pen-y-Ghent on Sunday (November 30). According to The Sun, paramedics battled to save him while airlifting him from the 2,277ft peak - but it is believed to have been too late.

Jodie Ounsley, who also played for England's rugby sevens team, was announced in the confirmed line-up for Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas special and is due to film her appearance next Tuesday. A source told the publication: "Phil was perfectly fit and healthy. His death has come as such a shock to all who knew him. He was such a genuinely great guy and did a lot for charity, and he was always exercising and pushing himself to help others."

The insider continued: "Phil is the last person you would expect something like this to happen to due to the lifestyle he lived. It is such a surprise for his wife Jo, daughter Jodie and son Jack, and his whole family are all obviously devastated."

Jodie led the tributes as the grieving star took to Instagram and penned: "Heartbroken. Yesterday, my dad suddenly passed away while doing one of his favourite things-walking Pen-y-Ghent.

"He had hiked that peak countless times throughout his life, but none of us knew he wouldn't walk back down that day."

The Fury star continued: "I don't have the words. All I can say is that he was, and always will be, my absolute hero. He encouraged me to dream big and loved me wholeheartedly, and for that, I will be forever grateful. Until we meet again, Dad."

Jodie's sporting passion saw her follow in the footsteps of her famous dad, who, as well as being a former mixed martial artist and took part in Sky's 2008 Gladiators reboot.

The 24-year-old previously revealed how Phil's success as a World Coal Carrying Winner inspired her to venture into sports.

In a Women's Health interview earlier this year, Jodie shared: "When I was three, I picked up a sack of carrots, put them on my shoulders and started sprinting around the kitchen.

"My dad used to do the coal-carrying championships in Yorkshire; I'd seen him running with sacks on his back and copied him. I went on to compete in coal carrying from the age of four until 15, when I found rugby; it was the moment I scored my first try for my local club, Sandal, that I knew I'd found my thing."

Later this month, Jodie will join the confirmed line-up with Scarlett Moffatt, Melanie Blatt, Nicholas Bailey, Brian McFadden and Babatunde Aléshé.