"I just want to come on the show and fly the flag for other people that struggle with alopecia and put it out there that they should follow their dreams and do what they love, despite their alopecia." 

These are the words of 33-year-old Poppy Bulmer. 

Poppy, from Goole, East Yorkshire, uses her love for sport and fitness to help rehabilitate young people at Wetherby Young Offenders Institution on a daily basis. However, she’s currently putting her own strength to the test in the hit TV series, Gladiators.

The 33-year-old joined the prison service back in 2016, starting on the wings at HMP Full Sutton near York as a prison officer for six years before progressing to become a Physical Education Instructor (PEI) which sees her put young people through their paces.

While her main responsibility is to look after children and young people in custody, Poppy says sometimes it is just as important to be someone they can learn from by teaching them new skills such as fitness.

Poppy was seen fighting fit in Gladiators on Saturday (15^th January) which saw her get through to the next round of the competition. She appeared on TV screens without her wig, helping to raise awareness of alopecia in the process. 

Talking about physical exercise in relation to alopecia, Poppy says: 

“Physical exercise is good for everyone’s mental health too, including my own especially when I started losing my hair to alopecia at 26-years-old. It was a difficult time but the gym was a supportive environment and it felt like my safe space. Now I use that confidence and strength to help others find theirs.” 

Alopecia UK's Communications Manager Amy Johnson says: 

"It is wonderful to see Poppy competing on Gladiators and we wish her all the best for the rest of the competition. We have already had people in touch with us to say how amazing it was to see Poppy on their TV screens. Representation is so important, especially to younger viewers, and I loved Poppy's opening inspirational words. Seeing someone with alopecia on a primetime national TV show is incredible. Good luck Poppy!" 

We can't wait to see how Poppy gets on during the remainder of the series. Gladiators airs on BBC One on Saturday nights at 5.50pm. You can also watch episodes on demand on BBC iPlayer including the first episode featuring Poppy that aired on Saturday night.