You know how we have to start this story already. Gladiators… ARE YOU READY?
The iconic TV show which puts regular folk against some highly trained athletes in a fierce, physical competition is returning on January 13.
A mainstay of primetime TV back in the 1990s, it made household names of the Gladiators, like Jet and Wolf.
Confirming its return, Kate Phillips, head of BBC Unscripted said: ‘Gladiators is back, and a whole new generation of viewers can now look forward to watching a Saturday night spectacle like no other.
‘Will the contenders have the will and the skill to succeed against our mighty new Gladiators? You’ll have to tune in to find out!’
But when should you be tuning in and who are the new Gladiators?
When is the new Gladiators series airing?
As mentioned above, it will begin on January 13, so we do not have long to wait!
The episodes have all already been filmed. Some lucky audience members were able to watch the action live from the Utilita Arena in Sheffield last year starting on June 1 and ending on June 11.
Who are the new Gladiators?
There are 10 new Gladiators confirmed. They are:
- Apollo (aka Alex Gray) – a former rugby and NFL player
- Diamond (aka Livi Sheldon) – she believes being unique is a superpower, and was picked on for being tall (she’s a six foot bodybuilder)
- Dynamite (aka Emily Steel) – she’s too young to remember the original, but she’s ready to make a name for herself
- Fire (aka Montell Douglas) – she’s ready to light up the competition!
- Fury (aka Jodie Ounsley) – she grew up in awe of the Gladiators strength, and now she’s ready to showcase her own
- Giant (aka Jamie Christian Johal) – yes, he’s tall
- Legend (aka Matt Morsia) – he said he ‘can only apologise for the irreparable damage I’m about to do to the contenders. Actually, that’s a lie, [he’s] not sorry at all.’
- Nitro (aka Harry Aikines-Aryeetey) – a Team GB sprinter, this is ‘a childhood dream come true’
- Sabre (aka Sheli McCoy) – she’s hoping she can inspire and empower the ‘younger generation of strong, capable females’ like the original Gladiators did for her
- Steel (aka Zack George) – hopes to be a ‘new, unbreakable hero.’
Who will present the new Gladiators?
It’s a family affair in the gladiator pit this time around as The Chase’s Bradley Walsh and his son, Barney Walsh, will take on hosting duties.
The news was announced on social media, where Bradley said: ‘Wow! I can’t believe that I’ve been asked to be part of this iconic show.
‘I used to sit backstage, or in the audience, every week watching my wife be part of this juggernaut and now I get to co-host a new version of GLADIATORS!!! Saturday night family entertainment at its best…ARE YOU READY ?!’
Bradley’s wife, Donna Derby, was head choreographer for the Gladiators’ cheerleaders in the series that originally ran on ITV from 1992-2000.
Ulrika Johnson and ex-footballer John Fashanu presented the original series.
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