Gladiators star Fury’s father has tragically died after collapsing while climbing one of Yorkshire’s three peaks on Sunday.
Mixed martial arts expert Phil Ounsley, 56, is suspected to have suffered heart attack at Pen-y-Ghent, a mountain the TV star, real name Jodie Ounsley, had hiked ‘countless times throughout his life’.
The Sun reports paramedics battled to save Phil while airlifting him from the 2,277ft peak, yet the rescue mission came too late.
Jodie took to Instagram to share the news: ‘Heartbroken. Yesterday, my dad suddenly passed away while doing one of his favourite things—walking Pen-y-Ghent…
‘He had hiked that peak countless times throughout his life, but none of us knew he wouldn’t walk back down that day. I don’t have the words…
‘All I can say is that he was, and always will be, my absolute hero. He encouraged me to dream big and loved me wholeheartedly, and for that I will be forever grateful. Until we meet again, Dad.’
Alongside her heartfelt message, Jodie shared a number of images from her childhood through to adulthood alongside her beloved father.
The avid sportsman was seen throwing himself into a host of sporting actitivies with his famous daughter in her sweet carousel of images.
A source told The Sun: ‘Phil was perfectly fit and healthy. His death has come as such a shock to all who knew him.
‘He was such a genuinely great guy and did a lot for charity. And he was always exercising and pushing himself to help others.
‘Phil is the last person you would expect something like this to happen to due to the lifestyle he lived.
‘It is such a surprise for his wife Jo, daughter Jodie and son Jack and his whole family are all obviously devastated.’
The heartbreaking news comes after Jodie became the third celebrity to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas special.
The BBC athlete will be one of six stars to take to the dance floor to battle it out for the famous glitterball trophy on the hit competition on Christmas Day.
Profoundly deaf from infancy, Jodie received a cochlear implant as a child, becoming one of the youngest people in the UK to undergo the procedure.
Jodie, who is a former rugby union player and jiu jitsu champion, gushed she ‘can’t wait to get stuck in’ to learning her routine.
She said: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be doing the Strictly Christmas Special. Being the first female rugby player means a lot to me too.
‘I honestly can’t wait to get stuck in, I’m used to smashing into people so this is definitely going to be a challenge!’
