Kim Betts
| Kim Betts | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 December 1971 |
| Other names | Lightning |
| Known for | Gladiators (1992 series) |
| Height | 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Weight | 57 kg (126 lb) |
| Notes | |
Kim Betts (née Williams; born 25 December 1971) is an English Gymnast, bodybuilder and TV presenter best known as Lightning in the ITV show Gladiators, where she was the longest serving female star.
Gymnastics
At six years old Betts took up gymnastics after she was accepted into Lichfield Olympic Gymnastic Club. Lightning had her first competitive event when she was eight years old. In her time as a gymnast she competed all over Great Britain as well as in Bulgaria, Belgium and Germany. Between the ages of 10 and 16 she trained with the British Squad and gained 32 medals.
Weight training
After gymnastics Betts took up weight training and competed four times in the Miss Figure Bodybuilding competition and came second in the British Championship Finals. She also won the Willenhall BB Show, Muscle Beach Open and the EFBB British Qualifier. Next came aerobics to help build up her stamina. She was a fitness instructor for eighteen months.
Gladiators
Lightning was known as one of the toughest and most determined of the UK Gladiators. Known as the 'Queen of Hang Tough', she remained undefeated in the UK Arena and was only ever beaten once, during filming of the first Ashes series in Australia. That loss happened on the first heat of the first Ashes against Australia's Kerry Warman who slid past Lightning and defeated her. Betts gave birth to a baby boy called Lexus just three weeks before competing in the Gladiators arena for the 1999 series.
Lightning appeared in every single domestic & International series bar Springbok 2, her usual attire was a leotard and sometimes sports bra and pants. She recently made a welcome return to Gladiators for the 2008 revamp in a "Legends" special, competing alongside former Gladiators Flame, Rebel, Rocket, Ace, Hunter, Trojan & Wolf as special contenders against the new Gladiators all in the aid of Charity. Lightning later returned again for a second Legends special, alongside Scorpio, Siren, Rocket, Bullitt, Cobra, Trojan & Wolf.
Personal life
As well as son Lexus, Kim and husband Francis have a daughter named Skye. The Betts family had previously moved to live in Spain but have since returned to the UK.
Recently
Betts used to be a TV presenter for kids show Room 785 airing on BFBS TV which is a channel for Britain's Armed Forces around the world.