OFF-DUTY SUPERHERO

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro from Gladiators, reflects on how the love and support of his family have helped him move from athletics into primetime TV

STYLIST: JODIE NELLIST

PHOTOGRAPHER: TOM JAMIESON

Harry: jumper, Kiltane; jeans, Gap. Lauren: coords, Karen Millen; boots, Russell & Bromley. AubreéIsla: dungarees, Next; top, Bebe Organic Facing page: checked jacket and Tshirt, Next; jeans, Gap

He may be a regular fixture on Saturday night TV, thrilling fans of Gladiators with his athleticism and showmanship, but at hello!’s exclusive photoshoot with Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro, there’s only one star of the show – and that’s his daughter, Aubreé-Isla.

“She has such a big personality. I think she’s going to be a performer,” Harry says proudly as the five-year-old entertains our team by mimicking the signature poses of some of his Gladiators co-stars and chatting about having a tea party after the shoot – at the stunning Nonsuch Mansion in Surrey – with her mother, Lauren, Harry’s wife.

It’s clear that the star, whose time on Strictly Come Dancing came to an end earlier this month, relishes his role as a father. “If anything, I’m too much of a hands-on dad,” he laughs. “I do her hair, take her clothes shopping… and she cooks with me. If you ask her what ingredients go into a pancake, she will tell you everything.”