Gold, known off-screen as Lize Van der Walt, has passed away at 60 years old after battling cancer.

The former Gladiators competitor hailed from South Africa, where in her youth she claimed gold in the 400-meter event at age 21.

She relocated to Britain and worked in fitness instruction before auditioning for Gladiators, securing a spot on the show in 1997.

The official Gladiators social media account announced her passing on Sunday, April 19, following her cancer fight.

The statement read: “We are mourning the loss of Gladiators’ golden girl, Lize Van der Walt.

Lize joined the UK version in 1997, bringing athleticism, passion and drive to the competition.

Selected from thousands of hopefuls to become one of the new Gladiators, she rapidly established herself.

Though injuries restricted how often she competed, she demonstrated remarkable fortitude, and whenever she entered the arena, she proved why she earned the name Gold.

Prior to Gladiators, Lize came from South Africa where she excelled in track and field, particularly the 400m and relay events.

Her adventurous nature led her to Britain, where she became part of Gladiators’ legacy.

In 2000, she came back to compete for the UK against her native country. This full-circle appearance demonstrated her resilience and personal strength.

After her Gladiators career ended, Lize went back to Hermanus in South Africa, a coastal town famous for its scenic vistas and sunsets.

There, she established herself as a professional artist, producing seascapes and semi-abstract pieces inspired by her local environment.

After an extended and courageous battle with cancer, Lize passed away on April 19 in South Africa at age 60.

Her son Michael, her family, her friends and everyone who knew and cherished her are in our thoughts.

Thank you for the memories, Lize. Your place in Gladiators history is permanent.”

Gladiators returned to television in 2024 following a BBC reboot.

The program, fronted by Bradley and Barney Walsh, has recently finished its third series and features competitors including Giant, Bionic, Cyclone and Athena.

The initial run appeared on ITV from 1992 to 2000, featuring:

Gold (Lize Van der Walt)

Wolf (Michael Van Wijk)

Jet (Diane Youdale)

Lightning (Kim Betts)

Rhino (Mark Smith)

Falcon (Bernadette Hunt)

Saracen (Mike Lewis)

Cobra (Michael Willson)

Shadow (Jefferson King)

Ace (Warren Furman)

Nightshade (Judy Simpson)

Hunter (James Crossley)