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It was also around the time when Alison was a fitness instructor, she took part in auditions for the Gladiators' television programme. There was a gruelling test to pass to be considered for the programme. The test consisted of running on treadmills, climbing ropes and ladders and performing a set number of chin-ups. She said of her experience. "Training was hard, but I think I did quite well". She was happy with her performance in the general fitness assessment, however the pugilistic element of the test proved to be her downfall. She retired from the contest, with her ego bruised as much as her face.

Alison on a cold day in January 1999

Alison described the event as one of the most gruelling assault courses in the world. It starts with a cross-country run, followed by a three mile assault course. The course is waterlogged and is extremely muddy. Alison has taken part in the event four times and has vowed never to do it again. She said: "I'm not doing it ever again" and although she took part with a couple of friends who still urge her to take part she steadfastly refuses.

David and Alison Fortnum

More recently, Alison has been involved with market trading and also organising events for women such as 'Ladies Nights'. Recently she's been organising an event, featuring a cat walk fashion show, various stalls, and something slightly unusual; pole dancing for fitness. Something she's tried, she said: "I've had a little go at pole dancing myself, and a friend of mine, whom I used to work with as a fitness instructor, she used to teach pole-dancing on a smaller scale, and we used to have a go." She added: "It's really good fun and a lot harder than you think". Alison went on to say it was a different way of keeping fit and was great fun and made a change from slogging it out at the gym.