Gladiators star Falcon dead at 59: Bernadette Hunt passes away after cancer battle
GLADIATORS star Falcon has died at the age of 59 after a long cancer battle.
Falcon, whose real name was Bernadette Hunt, was an all-round Gladiator who joined the show after training as a ballerina and an aerobics teacher.
She made her debut on the show’s second series in 1993, before staying on until Series 8 in 1999.
Falcon also appeared on International Gladiators between 1994 and 1995, as well as three live shows.
She was considered the “nicest Gladiator” by many fans, and had the Queen song Breakthru as her theme while she was on the show.
Falcon competed in events such as Joust, Powerball and Tilt.
Her death was announced Rick Jango, the partner of her sister, in a Facebook post.
The announcement read: “It is with great sadness that I have to tell you of the death of my partner’s younger sister Bernadette Hunt.
“Most people will remember her as Falcon From the hit TV Show Gladiators.”
“I had the privilege to be in her company a few times & I have to say she was one of the most lovely people I have ever met.
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“She never had a bad word to say about anyone, indeed she was always known a the nicest ‘Gladiator’, always stopping to speak & sign autographs for anyone.
“She had been battling cancer for a number of years until sadly she lost he fight R.I.P. Bernie.”
Bernadette’s sister said: “My beautiful sister was the best kind of human being on this earth.”
Former Gladiator Vogue, whose real name is Suzanne Cox, paid tribute to Falcon, saying: “I found out a few days ago”.
The funeral will be a private affair attended by family only.
Bernadette was accepted into the London Contemporary Ballet School at the age of 18 – before she suffered a back injury which put a stop to her plans.
She went on to win the first competition she entered, Miss Natural Health in 1992, along with other titles including Miss Novice Britain, Miss London and Home Countries 1992 and Miss South Britain.
After leaving Gladiators, Bernadette worked as a personal trainer in Basingstoke.