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For the 2024 Australian TV series, see Gladiators (2024 Australian TV series).

Gladiators
Genre Game show
Created byDan Carr
John Ferraro
Presented by Bradley Walsh
Barney Walsh
Starring
Voices of Guy Mowbray
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes11
Production
Executive producers
  • Dan Baldwin
  • Lou Brown
  • Dom Bird
Producers
  • Reshmi Bajnath
  • James Pratt
Production location Sheffield Arena
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network BBC One
Release13 January 2024 (2024-01-13) –
present
Related
Gladiators (1992–2000)
Gladiators (2008–2009)

Gladiators is a British television series which began airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 13 January 2024. It is the second revival of the original 1992 Gladiators series on ITV, after the 2008 series on Sky One. The series is produced by Hungry Bear Media and MGM Alternative UK.

Each episode consists of four players, known as 'contenders' – two male and two female – competing in a series of physically challenging events against the show's resident 'Gladiators', a group of elite athletes – like bodybuilders or track and field athletes – and eventually competing in one final event, the Eliminator. The series consists of the heats, the quarter-finals, the semi-finals and a grand final, to determine the overall champions.

The series is presented by Bradley Walsh and his son, Barney. [1] It is refereed by Mark Clattenburg and voice-over commentated by Guy Mowbray.

Upon its release, the revived series of Gladiators has become one of the most successful family entertainment launches for the BBC in 7 years. [2]

Production

Background and development

The original LWT series of Gladiators aired between 1992 and 2000 on ITV [3] and its first revival aired on Sky One in 2008 and 2009. [4] In July 2022, it was reported that the BBC were in talks with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, who hold the rights to the original format, to relaunch the show on BBC One. [3] The BBC later announced that the revival, produced by Hungry Bear Media and MGM Television, would air in 2023. [5]

The casting for the new contenders took place across England, [6] [7] Scotland, [8] and Northern Ireland [9] in April 2023. The following month it was announced that Bradley Walsh would co-host the revived series alongside his son Barney. [1] Donna Walsh, Barney's mother and Bradley's wife, was head choreographer for the "G Force" troupe of cheerleaders on the 1992 series. Bradley also has previous connections to the show, having taken part in a "Celebrities vs Jockeys" special episode of the programme in 1997. [1]

Filming and release

Filming of the programme took place at the Sheffield Arena, in the city of Steel, which previously hosted the 1995 live shows for the original ITV series, in June 2023. [10] Tickets to attend filming of the series were free. Applause Store, the company who oversaw ticket distribution, stated that there was an "unprecedented demand" for tickets and the venue reached its 3,000 capacity earlier than anticipated, which led to ticketholders being denied entry. [11] In a statement, Applause Store said that entrance would be on a "first-come first-served" basis dependent on capacity, and that there was no guarantee of admission to the venue. [11]

Two Gladiators sustained injuries during filming. Comet (Ella-Mae Rayner) broke her ankle and foot, and Sabre ( Sheli McCoy) tore her hamstring. [12]

Gladiators Giant (Jamie Christian Johal), Nitro ( Harry Aikines-Aryeetey), Fury ( Jodie Ounsley), and Fire ( Montell Douglas) made an appearance during the Strictly Come Dancing finale in mid-December 2023, where Fire stated that the programme would premiere in early 2024. [13]

The first official trailer of the show was released on 25 December 2023, [14] showing both new and classic events. [15] On 3 January 2024, the BBC announced that the series would premiere on 13 January at 5.50 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. [16] [17] The revival of Gladiators attracted an audience of 6 million viewers, becoming the biggest entertainment launch for the BBC in seven years. [2] Due to the ratings success, the BBC bosses have announced that they have been already planning for the next series, which is set to be filmed in summer 2024 at the Sheffield Arena, and airing in early 2025. [18] According to a BBC boss, there will be some adjustments to the flow of the game, and some new events for the second series, but all of the Gladiators from the first series are set to return. [19]

Format

Further information: Gladiators (1992 British TV series) § Format

The format of Gladiators follows that of the previous series, where two men and two women compete against the Gladiators before taking on each other on the Eliminator obstacle course. [4] The series follows a knock-out tournament format of preliminary heats leading to finals. [20]

Events

Main article: List of Gladiators UK events

During an appearance on BBC Breakfast in May 2023, Gladiators Nitro ( Harry Aikines-Aryeetey) and Diamond ( Livi Sheldon) stated that the series would feature old games including Hang Tough, The Wall, Powerball, and Duel. [21] During an appearance on This Morning the same month, Giant ( Jamie Christian Johal), Legend ( Matt Morsia), and Fire ( Montell Douglas), confirmed about the return of the event Gauntlet. [22]

New events in the first rebooted series include Collision (in which contenders try to cross a bridge while avoiding the Gladiators who swing across on trapezes), The Edge (in which contenders and Gladiators undertake a cat and mouse chase on an elevated grid), and The Ring (in which contenders try to hit a sensor in the centre of a large court without being tackled by a Gladiator). [15]

The second series, airing in 2025, will see some more returning events from both the 90s and " noughties" shows, and possibly totally new events. [19]

Cast and crew

Presenters

The revamped series of Gladiators is being host by father-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh (known as Bradley & Barney). [1]

Gladiators

The show's resident Gladiators are a group of elite athletes from the different fields of athletics; from bodybuilders to CrossFit athletes and Olympic Games champions. Throughout May 2023, the 16-strong roster of Gladiators were announced on Morning Live and The One Show, among other media outlets. Profiles were also released on the BBC Media Centre website. [23]

Male Gladiators
Alias Real name Series Stats Background Entry theme
Apollo Alexander Gray 1– 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) [24] Former Rugby union and NFL player " Are You Gonna Go My Way" – Lenny Kravitz
Bionic Matty Campbell 1– 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) [25]

Bodybuilder, former sprinter and footballer

" Galvanize" – The Chemical Brothers
Giant Jamie Christian-Johal 1– 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) [26]

Professional bodybuilder and former firefighter

" Giant" – Calvin Harris and Rag'n'Bone Man
Legend Matt Morsia 1– 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) [27]

Bodybuilder, powerlifter, and former PE teacher, long and triple jumper

" The Best" – Tina Turner
Nitro Harry Aikines-Aryeetey 1– 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) [28]

Team GB Commonwealth, World, and European Sprinting Champion

" The Power" – Snap!
Phantom Toby Olubi 1– 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) [29]

Olympics bobsledder and sprinter

" In for the Kill" – La Roux
Steel Zack George 1– 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) [30]

CrossFit athlete

" Pass Out" – Tinie Tempah
Viper Quang Luong 1– 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) [31]

Bodybuilder, boxer and actor

" Trouble's Coming" – Royal Blood
Female Gladiators
Alias Real name Series Stats Background Entry theme
Athena Karenjeet Kaur Bains 1– 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) [32]

Commonwealth, All-England and British Powerlifting Champion

" Unfinished Sympathy" – Massive Attack
Comet Ella-Mae Rayner 1– 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) [33]

Model and former elite gymnast and cheerleader

" Levitating" – Dua Lipa
Diamond Livi Sheldon 1– 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) [34]

Football-turn-bodybuilder and personal trainer

" Woman Like Me" – Little Mix featuring Nicki Minaj
Dynamite Emily Steel 1– 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) [35]

Elite CrossFit athlete, weightlifter and National Swimming Champion

" Bang Bang" – Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj
Electro Jade Packer 1– 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) [36]

Sports model, fitness coach, bodybuilder and hybrid-style athlete

" Light It Up" – Major Lazer
Fire Montell Douglas 1– 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) [37]

Team GB Olympics sprinter and bobsledder

" Stop This Flame" – Celeste
Fury Jodie Ounsley 1– 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) [38] Former Rugby union player and Brazilian jiu jitsu and National Coal Carrying Champion " Bad Habits (Bring Me the Horizon remix)" – Ed Sheeran
Sabre Sheli McCoy 1– 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) [39]

British Weightlifting and CrossFit Championships Champion

"Let's Go" – Zayde Wolf

During January 2024, the BBC had discovered the steroid use of Gladiator Giant ( Jamie Christian-Johal) from a YouTube video from 2022. The video has since then been deleted, and the Gladiator himself stated that he hasn't been in contact with any kind of "performance enhancing" drug since his professional career ended. The network also stated that upon the casting for the Gladiators and Contenders, they had to complete multiple tests in case of any prohibited steroid-use; the tests were negative for all of the Gladiators. [40] Despite the "scandal", Giant, and the rest of the cast is expected to return for a second series of the show, which is set to air in 2025. [41]

The youngest Gladiator of the current lineup is Dynamite ( Emily Steel), at the current age of 21. Athena ( Karenjeet Kaur Bains) is one of the all time shortest Gladiators at 5 foot 4 inches. Respectively, Gladiator Diamond ( Livi Sheldon) is the tallest of the females, at 6 ft. Male Gladiators Apollo ( Alexander Gray) and Bionic (Matty Campbell) both stand at 6 ft 6 in.

On the show, Gladiator Fury ( Jodie Ounsley) is stated to be the first-ever deaf Gladiator. She has a cochlear implant, which helps her to hear despite the medical condition. [42] The actual first-ever deaf Gladiator in the show's international history was the late American Gladiator Siren ( Shelley Beattie) from the 90's.

Two of the female Gladiators were injured during the filming of the first series. Comet (Ella-Mae Rayner) sustained several bone fractures on her legs in many places – including the talus – as well as sustaining a Lisfranc injury, three ruptured ligaments, and a dislocated bone, when competing in her speciality event Hang Tough. Sabre ( Sheli McCoy) also mildly injured her hamstring. Due these incidents both of the Gladiators had to go on hiatus from the series. [12]

Referees

The main referee is Mark Clattenburg, a former international football referee who adjudicated the 2012 Men's Olympic football final, the 2016 Champions League and European Championship finals. Clattenburg is supported by Sonia Mkoloma, a former international netball player who competed at five Netball World Cups and three Commonwealth Games, and Lee Phillips, a fitness professional and firefighter who won gold medals in the Ultimate Firefighter and CrossFit events at the 2017 World Police and Fire Games. [23]

Commentator

Voiceover commentary is by Guy Mowbray, who previously commentated for the European Championships and the Premier League, as well as the EA Sports FC video game franchise. [43]

Episodes

Series overview

Series Episodes First aired Last aired Series Champions
1 11 13 January 2024 30 March 2024 Marie-Louise Nicholson & Finlay Anderson [44]
2 TBD 2025

Series 1 (2024)

Main article: Gladiators (2024 British TV series) series 1

The series premiered on 13 January 2024, and ran through the first quarter of the year. [16] [45] It featured eleven 60-minute long episodes. [46]

The ratings of the series were generally very high, with the series averaging 6.02 million viewers. [2]

No.
overall		 No. in
series		TitleBBC One airdateUK viewers
(millions)  [47]		Weekly Rank  [47]
11"Heat 1"13 January 2024 (2024-01-13)8.361
22"Heat 2"20 January 2024 (2024-01-20)7.014
33"Heat 3"27 January 2024 (2024-01-27)6.485
44"Heat 4"3 February 2024 (2024-02-03)6.583
55"Heat 5"10 February 2024 (2024-02-10)5.838
66"Quarter Final 1"17 February 2024 (2024-02-17)5.897
77"Quarter Final 2"24 February 2024 (2024-02-24)5.486
88"Quarter Final 3"2 March 2024 (2024-03-02)5.415
99"Semi Final 1"9 March 2024 (2024-03-09)4.556
1010"Semi Final 2"23 March 2024 (2024-03-23)5.274
1111"Final"30 March 2024 (2024-03-30)5.393

Contenders progress

Color key:

  Series champions
  Runners-up
  The contender won the episode and advanced
  The contender was medically withdrawn from the competition
  The contender was the fastest finisher and qualified
  The contender lost the episode and was eliminated
Contenders Episodes
Heats Quarter Finals Semi Finals Final
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Finlay Anderson — WIN — FF — WIN — WINNER
Marie-Louise Nicholson — WIN — WIN — WIN WINNER
Bronte Jones — WIN — WIN — WIN — RUNNER-UP
Wesley Male — WIN — WIN RUNNER-UP
Matt Jones — OUT — OUT —
Kerry Wilson WIN — WIN — OUT —
Chung Leung — WIN — WIN — WDR —
Jake Spence — WIN — FF — OUT —
Betti Worth — WIN — FF OUT —
Dev Pankhania — WIN — WIN WDR —
Ashley Harwood — FF — OUT —
Nia Rutter — WIN — OUT —
Tasha Lawrence FF — OUT —
Finley Burkitt WIN — WDR —
Paul Campbell — OUT —
Tuathlaith Murtagh — OUT —
Sharan Riyat — OUT —
Alex McKnight — OUT —
John Darwen — OUT —
Zoe McIntosh — OUT —
Myles Harris OUT —

Series 2 (2025)

Main article: Gladiators (2024 British TV series) series 2

A second series has been commissioned by the BBC to be produced in 2024, and airing in 2025, due to the ratings success of the first series. [2] [18]

The series is also set to have at least one celebrity special. [48] Although the participants of which are yet to be revealed, some well-known personalities like radio presenter Gemma Atkinson, BBC Sports star Alex Scott, and 'blonde bomber' boxer Ebanie Bridges are tipped to "set" to appear. [49] [50]

Critical reception

The series received positive reviews, with The Guardian describing it as a "phenomenal reboot" of its original show. [20] In a highly positive thinkpiece, The Independent praised the show's updated sensibilities, writing: "The entire show is a testament to the fact that we can still enjoy those things from our youth, and that 'updating them for a modern audience' doesn’t mean ripping out the heart of what made them appealing in the first place." [51] On his The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, Richard Osman praised the casting and described the series debut as a "smash hit". [52]

Ulrika Jonsson, who presented the original programme, said the reboot had done a "good job" overall, but criticised the absence of cheerleaders that had been used in previous iterations of the show, stating that the cheerleaders brought "another level" to the production. [53]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Presenters Ready? Bradley and Barney Walsh are confirmed as hosts of Gladiators". BBC. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Craig, David (30 January 2024). "Gladiators reboot is BBC's biggest entertainment launch in 7 years as ratings revealed". Radio Times. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Frost, Caroline (30 July 2022). "BBC In Talks With MGM Studios To Bring Back 'Gladiators', One Of UK's Biggest 1990s Shows". Deadline. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b Moss, Molly; Mensah, Katelyn (21 January 2024). "Gladiators BBC: Release date, cast and hosts for reboot". Radio Times. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  5. ^ Ritman, Alex (25 August 2022). "'Gladiators' Getting U.K. Reboot on BBC". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  6. ^ Fitzpatrick, Katie (22 February 2023). "Contenders are needed for reboot of iconic 90s show Gladiators". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  7. ^ Mack, Tom (25 February 2023). "Contenders ready! Gladiators try-outs coming to the Midlands". Leicestershire Live. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  8. ^ Durham, Thomas (22 February 2023). "Aberdeen contenders wanted for BBC Gladiators reboot". Aberdeen Live. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  9. ^ McLaughlin, Sophie (19 February 2023). "Gladiators ready! NI contenders wanted for reboot of iconic gameshow". Belfast Live. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  10. ^ Aitken, Ellidh (16 January 2024). "Fifer Kerry hails Dundee Gladiator Sheli as she lifts lid on dream TV debut". The Courier. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Sheffield: Gladiators fans tell of Utilita Arena ticket fiasco". BBC News. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  12. ^ a b Rodger, James (19 June 2023). "Gladiators star rushed to hospital for operation after 'severe injury'". BirminghamLive.
  13. ^ Mensah, Katelyn (16 December 2023). "Gladiators reboot set for early 2024 release date". Radio Times. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  14. ^ Rowan, Iona (26 December 2023). "Gladiators releases trailer for rebooted series". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  15. ^ a b "BBC Trailers: Gladiators". BBC iPlayer. BBC. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  16. ^ a b Darvill, Josh (3 January 2024). "Gladiators start date confirmed for new series on BBC One". TellyMix. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  17. ^ Darvill, Josh (3 January 2024). "Gladiators start date confirmed for new series on BBC One". tellymix.
  18. ^ a b "Gladiators is set to return to the BBC". BBC Media Centre. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Gladiators Sheffield: TV show's maker on what to expect from next series and why they had to return to city". The Sun.
  20. ^ a b Golby, Joel (13 January 2024). "Gladiators: this phenomenal reboot rips the door off Saturday-night TV". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  21. ^ "BBC One - Breakfast, 19/05/2023". BBC One. BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  22. ^ "New Gladiators, Giant, Fire and Legend are revealed for the show's reboot". This Morning. ITV. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  23. ^ a b "First look at the Gladiators line up and the referees keeping them in check". BBC Media Centre. BBC. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  24. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Apollo". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  25. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Bionic". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  26. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Giant". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  27. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Legend". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  28. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Nitro". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  29. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Phantom". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  30. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Steel". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  31. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Viper". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  32. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Athena". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  33. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Comet". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  34. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Diamond". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  35. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Dynamite". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  36. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Electro". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  37. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Fire". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  38. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Fury". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  39. ^ "BBC One - Gladiators, Series 1 - Sabre". BBC. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  40. ^ Amin, Meghna (20 January 2024). "Gladiators star Giant 'admits to taking steroids' in past".
  41. ^ Brinsford, James (30 March 2024). "Gladiators star Giant 'given second chance' by BBC bosses despite dangerous steroid remarks". The Mirror.
  42. ^ "Elite rugby player Jodie Ounsley proves being profoundly deaf will not hold her back from her sport".
  43. ^ "Football commentator Guy Mowbray to call the action on BBC One's Gladiators". BBC Media Centre. BBC. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  44. ^ Nanji, Noor (30 March 2024). "Gladiators 2024: Winners crowned after grand final". BBC News.
  45. ^ Elliott-Gibbs, Sam (11 December 2023). "Meet the new Gladiators as they show off ripped abs in tiny latex outfits". The Mirror. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  46. ^ "Gladiators reboot: When is it on? Who is hosting? Who are the new Gladiators? Which channel is it on?". Virgin Radio. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  47. ^ a b "Weekly Top 50 Shows". BARB. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  48. ^ Darvill, Josh. "Gladiators Celebrity special coming to BBC One". tellymix.co.uk.
  49. ^ https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/gemma-atkinson-says-bbc-celebrity-32633543
  50. ^ https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/bbc-celebrity-gladiators-lineup-alex-28974008
  51. ^ Coogan, Ryan (16 January 2024). "Ulrika Jonsson is right, the new Gladiators is 'woke'". The Independent. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  52. ^ Osman, Richard. "The nostalgic power of Gladiators, when should we leave the dead alone and does publishing have a problem with ghost writers? • Podcast Addict". Podcast Addict. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  53. ^ Nugent, Annabel (13 January 2024). "Ulrika Jonsson suspects 'woke rubbish' is at play in new Gladiators reboot on BBC". The Independent. Retrieved 25 January 2024.

External links

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