BBC bosses tease start date for Gladiators reboot

The 90s game show is making a comeback!

Author: Alex RossPublished 11th Dec 2023

It seems like an eternity ago since BBC bosses announced the news that they had plans to reboot popular 90s gameshow Gladiators, and after filming took place in June this year, many expected the show to land before the end of the year.

However, after all things Gladiators went a little quiet, bosses have FINALLY now teased a start date for the new year!

When does Gladiators start?

Although we still don't have an exact start date, BBC bosses have now teased the show is 'coming soon', whilst sharing the first teaser trailer both online and on TV.

Featuring the iconic theme tune and logo, the post read: 'ARE YOU READDDYYYY? 👀💥 #Gladiators coming soon to @BBC and #iPlayer'. (sic)

Unsurprisingly, fans were quick to comment on the teaser, with many expressing their excitement for the rebooted series.

One wrote: 'Thank god they kept the theme tune!!!! 🙌', with another writing: 'So exciting!❤️🔥'. A third then commented: 'So excited to see this , we was fortunate enough to watch 2days of filming 🙌👏 takes me back to being a kid'. (sic)

Many details about the upcoming series were confirmed earlier this year, as it was revealed that Bradley Walsh would host the show alongside his son Barney.

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 ?!“

16 brand new Gladiators were also unveiled, including Steel, Diamond, and Apollo.

Check out the brand new Gladiators below:

Giant (Jamie Christian Johal)

Giant is former firefighter turned bodybuilder. At 6ft 5inches tall, he made history by becoming one of the all-time tallest bodybuilders.

Bionic (Matty Campbell)

At 6ft 6in tall, Bionic gets his name from his huge frame! Bionic found a love for bodybuilding after a car crash ended his dreams of being a professional footballer.

Fury (Jodie Ounsley)

Fury is a professional rugby player! She is the first ever deaf Gladiator.

Comet (Ella-Mae Rayner)

Comet is a former elite gymnast and diver, who also has a degree in Sports Science. She currently works as a fitness model and coach and trains six times per week. Unfortunately, Comet was forced to pull out of series one due to injury.

Electro (Jade Packer)

As a former sprinter, Electro was ranked among the Top 10 Fastest Runners in the UK for 150m at the age of just 12. She's now part of the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation.

Phantom (Toby Olubi)

As well as being a sprinter, Phantom appeared at the 2018 Winter Olympics with the Team GB Bobsleigh team where they broke the world record for the fastest ever bobsleigh at 97 mph.

Dynamite (Emily Steel)

As the youngest Gladiator in the line-up, Dynamite has history in swimming, and now she's a full-time elite CrossFit athlete.

Viper (Quang Luong)

Viper has appeared in a number of movies, including James Bond! He also works as a fitness model and a bodybuilder.

Apollo (Alex Gray)

Apollo started his career playing rugby under 16s and moved onto the Premiership and then England 7s team. He captained English Rugby teams for 16's, 18's and 20's.

He was scouted to go to NFL for his skillset, making him the first British rugby player to transfer over to the NFL. Signed for Atlanta Falcons and then became the first international player to Captain an NFL team.

Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains)

As well as being an Chartered Accountant, Athena has represented Great Britain at the World and European Championships, and holds the Guinness World Record for the most bodyweight squats in a minute.

Diamond (Livi Sheldon)

Diamond is a 6ft bodybuilder. After graduating with a degree in Sports Science, she took up bodybuilding, becoming a British Finalist 'England Toned Figure'.

Fire (Montell Douglas)

Fire is a former Team GB sprinter and Olympic bobsledder. She has previously held the British women's record for the 100m sprit at 11.05 seconds and made sporting history by becoming the first female UK athlete to compete at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Montell won Commonwealth Gold in the 4 x 100m relay in 2010 and won a European under-23 silver medal in the 100m.

Legend (Matt Morsia)

Legend is a former international long and triple jumper and silver medal winning powerlifter. After retiring from competition, Matt became a fitness influencer and YouTuber, having amassed over 355 million views. In 2020, he released his first book called 'The 24/7 Body.'

Sabre (Sheli McCoy)

Sabre is a fierce, powerful and agile athlete who trains for 16-19 hours per week! She has competed in five British Weightlifting Championships events and numerous CrossFit championships all over the world and has simultaneously been Scottish champion in both sports. Sabre runs her own gym in Dundee, hoping to inspire future generations to reach their full fitness potential.
Unfortunately, Sabre was forced to pull out due to injury.

Nitro (Harry Aikines Aryeetey)

Nitro is a Team GB sprinter who has competed at the highest level. His long list of achievements include: 2 x Olympian, 3 x European Champion, 2x Commonwealth Champion, 1x Commonwealth Silver Medallist, 1x European Bronze Medallist, 1x World Bronze Medallist, 1x British Champion, 2x World Youth Champion, 1x World Junior Champion.

Steel (Zack George)

Steel is a CrossFit champion who also won the title of the UK's Fittest Man in 2020.

After news was announced of a reboot in 2022, Kate Phillips, the BBC’s director of unscripted, said at the time: “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.”

Gladiators will air on BBC One in early 2024.

Now read:

Everything you need to know about the new series of Gladiators

BBC bosses tease start date for Gladiators reboot

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