Jodie Ounsley is a British athlete, former England rugby player, author and television personality best known as Fury on the BBC’s Gladiators. Born profoundly deaf, she made sporting history as the first deaf female rugby player to represent a senior England side and later moved from professional rugby into television, broadcasting and advocacy.
Who Is Jodie Ounsley and What Is She Known For?
Jodie Ounsley was born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, and grew up with profound deafness. She received a cochlear implant as a young child and became involved with The Elizabeth Foundation, which supported her early communication and speech development.
Sport became a major part of her life from an early age. Before rugby, Ounsley competed successfully in athletics, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and coal carrying. Her sporting achievements included British championship success in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and five children’s world coal-carrying titles.
Her rugby career developed remarkably quickly. She began playing rugby as a teenager and progressed to England Sevens. In 2019, she became the first deaf female rugby player to play for a senior England side, while also becoming the first deaf female rugby sevens international. World Rugby reported that she made her HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debut for England in 2019 and scored her first World Series try against Ireland in Cape Town.
She subsequently played domestic rugby for clubs including Sale Sharks Women and Exeter Chiefs Women. Her time at Exeter Chiefs ended in 2024 when she decided to leave professional rugby and pursue opportunities away from the sport.
Why Did Jodie Ounsley Become Gladiators’ Fury?
Ounsley became widely recognised outside rugby after joining the BBC revival of Gladiators in 2024. She was given the Gladiator name Fury, reflecting her strength, competitiveness and physical approach.
Her background made her appearance particularly significant. She was already an elite athlete and former England Sevens player when she joined the programme, bringing considerable experience in high-intensity competition. BBC Sport reported that she was one of the 16 Gladiators in the 2024 series.
The move also allowed Ounsley to reach an audience far beyond rugby. As Fury, she became an important example of Deaf representation in mainstream British television. Her story has regularly focused on challenging assumptions about what deaf people can achieve in elite sport and entertainment.
For an authoritative overview of her sporting journey, World Rugby’s profile of Jodie Ounsley provides useful background on her rise from a newcomer to international rugby.
What Has Jodie Ounsley Done Since Rugby?
Ounsley retired from professional rugby in April 2024 after making eight appearances and scoring three tries for Exeter Chiefs. She said leaving rugby was one of the most difficult decisions of her life, while making clear that she remained passionate about supporting women’s rugby.
Her career since then has expanded into television, broadcasting, public speaking and advocacy. In 2024, she worked as a Channel 4 broadcaster during coverage of the Paris Paralympic Games. She has also continued promoting greater recognition and support for Deaf athletes. BBC Sport highlighted her involvement in calls for better financial support for elite Deaf competitors.
Ounsley has also held a leadership role with UK Deaf Sport. She became the organisation’s Honorary President in 2023, with the role reflecting her contribution to Deaf sport and her influence as an athlete and advocate.
Her work has increasingly included writing. Her first children’s book, Keep Smashing It: Be Strong, Be Brave, Be Confident, was published by Macmillan Children’s Books in 2025. The book uses stories and lessons from her life to encourage children to develop confidence, resilience and self-belief.
In 2026, she followed it with Strong Girls: Be Powerful, Be Positive, Be a Team Player, another children’s book written with BBC Sport journalist Becky Grey.
What Makes Jodie Ounsley an Inspirational Figure?
Jodie Ounsley’s importance goes beyond her rugby achievements. She has repeatedly challenged the idea that deafness should prevent someone from competing at the highest levels of sport.
Her career combines elite athletics, international rugby, television and advocacy. She has also used her public profile to encourage young people to be confident about their differences and to pursue opportunities despite barriers. Pan Macmillan describes her as a trailblazing British athlete, public speaker and advocate for the Deaf community.
Her achievements have received wider recognition too. In 2020, she won the Deaf Sports Personality of the Year award. In 2023, she appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour Women in Sport Power List and was recognised as Honorary President of UK Deaf Sport.
Her journey is therefore unusual: she broke barriers in rugby, became a familiar television personality as Fury, moved into broadcasting and public advocacy, and developed a career as a children’s author. That combination has made Jodie Ounsley one of the more recognisable British figures connecting elite sport with Deaf representation.
Fazit
Jodie Ounsley has built a remarkable career across rugby, television, broadcasting and advocacy. From becoming the first deaf female player to represent England at senior level to appearing as Fury on Gladiators, she has consistently challenged expectations and promoted greater inclusion in sport and society.
FAQs
Who is Jodie Ounsley?
Jodie Ounsley is a British athlete, former England rugby player, author and Gladiator known as Fury.
Is Jodie Ounsley deaf?
Yes. She was born profoundly deaf and uses a cochlear implant.
What rugby team did Jodie Ounsley play for?
She played for clubs including Sale Sharks Women and Exeter Chiefs Women and represented England Sevens.
What is Jodie Ounsley’s Gladiators name?
Her Gladiators name is Fury. She joined the BBC revival of Gladiators in 2024.
What books has Jodie Ounsley written?
Her books include Keep Smashing It: Be Strong, Be Brave, Be Confident (2025) and Strong Girls: Be Powerful, Be Positive, Be a Team Player (2026).
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