Gladiators finalist Marie-Louise Nicholson has a boyfriend

The secret boyfriend of super-fit Gladiators finalist Marie-Louise Nicholson is an adventurous rugby player with both brains and brawn, MailOnline can reveal.

Marie-Louise, 28, told in an interview last week how heartbroken she was by a recent break-up when she signed up for the BBC series.

But the glamorous fitness instructor revealed she had found a new partner, thanks to the TV show which gave her the confidence to start dating again.

MailOnline can now reveal that her new boyfriend is handsome sports fan Ben Hamer, 28, who shares her enthusiasm for staying in shape.

He showed his support for her appearance as one of four competitors in tonight’s Gladiators final by posting a photo on Instagram from BBC MediaCityUK at Salford Quays.

Marie-Louise’s friend Ben (center) also shares a passion for fitness

He has shown his support for her on social media as she appears as one of four competitors in the Gladiators finals tonight

Here’s a photo of the couple on sunnier days after a dip in the sea

The 28-year-old has a secret boyfriend, an adventurous rugby player with both brains and brawn

The actual final was said to have been recorded at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield last year, although the result has not yet been revealed ahead of tonight’s show.

Ben’s social media feeds are full of photos of him enjoying action-packed activities such as surfing, mountain biking, scuba diving, sea kayaking, playing rugby and skiing.

But he also has an impressive academic record, having achieved grades of A*, A, A at school in biology, chemistry and physical education.

His LinkedIn profile shows that he graduated from Cardiff University with a degree in biology and has since worked in various medical technology roles.

During his time at university he played for the rugby team and was a member of the mountain bike team.

Marie-Louise, who now works in London as a Crossfit trainer, opened up about her love interest in an interview this week, without naming Ben as her partner.

She said: ‘I thought I might meet someone on the show but I didn’t really fancy any of the Gladiators or the other contestants.

‘But Gladiators really made me believe in myself – I’m now very loved and off the market.’

In social media photos, Marie-Louise and Ben are seen posing happily together, often after apparently working out at a gym.

A photo from last year showed her in skimpy leopard skin shorts and a cropped gym top next to a bare-chested Ben in gray shorts, with the caption: ‘Doing what I love’.

In another photo of Marie-Louise, they stood grinning in a similar pose next to gym weights.

Her message with the photo read: ‘A weekend of elite adult gymnastics with these hooligans.’

The couple were also pictured on a holiday beach in a post from Marie-Louise with photos of food and a message that read: ‘Some of the sweet bits.’

The glamorous fitness instructor announced she had found a new partner, thanks to the TV show that gave her the confidence to start dating again

Her new boyfriend also shares her enthusiasm for staying in shape

Marie-Louise, who now works in London as a Crossfit trainer, opened up about her love interest

In social media photos, Marie-Louise and Ben are seen posing happily together, often after apparently working out at a gym

Just three days ago, Marie-Louise posted photos of her and Ben enjoying a break at a luxury country house hotel with the message: ‘Bootscootin’ around the country house.’

Companies House records show that Ben set up a company called Ossomed in August 2022.

The latest accounts show the company was in a healthy financial position last August with assets of more than £36,000.

Earlier this year, Marie-Louise hilariously revealed that her father thought she had been offered a role in a remake of the 2000 action film Gladiator starring Russell Crowe, when she told him she was part of the BBC reboot of the famous ITV game show from the 1990s.

She recalled: “My dad thought it was Gladiators (sic) the movie. The one with Russell Crowe. It’s like, “Dad, I’m going to a show!”

The eleven-part series sees participants compete against ‘superhuman’ athletes and bodybuilders in a series of games described as the ultimate test of speed and strength.