Celebrity Gladiators: Who won the New Year's special?
Four celebs took part!
Last updated 3rd Jan 2025
Following the success of the BBC's rebooted series of Gladiators at the beginning of 2024, bosses were quick to announce a second series has been commissioned, AND announced a celebrity special!
On New Year's Day 2025, Celebrity Gladiators aired featuring some famous names taking on the tough challenges like The Wall, Danger Zone, Swingshot, Hang Tough and Duel. Here's everything you need to know about the special.
When was it on TV?
The celebrity special aired at 6pm on New Year's Day. You can watch the episode on BBC iPlayer now.
Who took part?
Four famous names were announced for Celebrity Gladiators on Wednesday 7th August, as filming took place at Sheffield's Utilita Arena.
Check out the confirmed line-up below:
Rob Beckett
Best known for: Comedian and presenter
Rob said: "I can't wait to be absolutely crushed by the Gladiators in front my wife and children in spandex whilst I watch Joel Dommett and his 6 pack sprint past me on the travellator. This is going to be a catastrophic humiliation in front of the nation. I've got no idea why I agreed to this. Is it too late to pull out?"
Joel Dommett
Best known for: Comedian and presenter
Joel said: "I can't believe I'm taking part in Gladiators! It's always been my dream to be on that travelator. I've been illegally running up escalators backwards all my life in preparation and now it's happening for real. Super excited to be up against all my favourite muscley people in leotards and have some fun!"
Ellie Taylor
Best known for: Actress
Ellie said: "Me being on Celeb Gladiators is the answer to the question "What's the most elaborate thing you'd do to get your 5-year-old a foam finger?". We all love the show in my house and I'm so excited to take part! I can't wait to get chased by athletic goddesses and ask Viper about his childhood."
Louise Minchin
Best known for: Presenter
Louise said: "I am so excited to be on Gladiators, I have watched the show for years and have always thought it looked like terrifying fun and I can't wait to be part of it!"
Earlier this year, BBC bosses posted on social media asking fans who'd they would like to see on the show. The post read: 'Which celebs would you like to see take on the Gladiators in a special? 🌟 #Gladiators'. (sic)
Names such as Jill Scott, Joe Wicks, Holly Willoughby, Helen Skelton, Ben Shephard and Ant Middleton were all popular choices with fans, but none of them featured on the line-up.
On Wednesday 27th November, the BBC unveiled the first look at the show, sharing a picture of contestants Rob Beckett, Ellie Taylor, Louise Minchin and Joel Dommett alongside hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh.
Who won?
Joel Dommett was crowned the Celebrity Gladiators male champion.
Ellie Taylor was crowed the Celebrity Gladiators female champion.
When was it filmed?
Filming for Celebrity Gladiators took place over two days on Wednesday 7th August and Thursday 8th August 2024, at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.
Fans could get limited free tickets to filming from Applause Store, which stated: 'Just released! This incredible one-off Gladiators Special! This is going to be EPIC!
'Father and son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh host this incredible, massive television event, but this time... it's the Gladiators against our celebrities!
'Yes, Gladiators is back and YOU are invited to be there for this incredible, one-off celebrity special and experience this spectacular, iconic family entertainment show LIVE at Utilita Arena in Sheffield.'
Who hosted the show?
Just like the main show, father-and-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh hosted the celebrity special.
Is there more series of Gladiators?
The second series of Gladiators has officially been confirmed.
Announcing series two ahead of the series one final, Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC said: “Gladiators has really kicked this year off with a bang, and we’re so delighted that the fans have come to the show in their masses. It has been wonderful to hear how much families have loved watching this together, as part of the BBC’s Saturday evening entertainment offering. We can’t wait for more action from the Gladiators.”
Dan Baldwin, Managing Director Hungry Bear Media added: “It’s no exaggeration to say that the response to Gladiators has been phenomenal. The episodes have been packed with nail-biting drama, thrilling action and huge emotion. Series 2 will see the show go from strength-to-strength. We have some amazing surprises in store for the fans. Are you ready?!?”
Series two will begin in early January.
Check out which other shows we can't wait for the return of:
Celebrity Big Brother
Following the first rebooted series in 2024, which welcomed celebs such as Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and David Potts, it was confirmed that Celebrity Big Brother will be returning for another season in 2025!
Black Mirror
In March 2024, Netflix bosses revealed a seventh series of Black Mirror would land in 2025, with one of the episodes set to be a sequel to series four episode USS Callister. It's now been confirmed the seventh series will begin on 10th April.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
Following the success of series one in 2024, reality show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives will return for a second series! Disney+ have now confirmed the second series will begin on 15th May.
Squid Game
Although series two of Squid Game only dropped on Boxing Day, the good news is that series three has already been filmed, and it's due out in 2025! Netflix have now confirmed a release date of 27th June.
The Traitors and Celebrity Traitors
Series four of The Traitors is due to return in early 2026, but fans can also look forward to the first ever celebrity edition of the show!
Stranger Things
Netflix bosses confirmed in January 2023 that the fifth and final series of Stranger Things had officially started production! Despite this, there's still no word yet on a release date.
Ted Lasso
Following the end of series three in 2023, fans were crying out for a fourth series of comedy show Ted Lasso! On Friday 14th March, main actor Jason Sudeikis confirmed the exciting news, revealing it was in early production! There's no release date just yet.
Love Island
It's the highlight of the Summer for reality TV fans, and now ITV/STV bosses have confirmed Love Island will be back for its 12th series in June!
Waterloo Road
School drama Waterloo Road is due to return for a 16th series in early 2026! The show, which was rebooted in 2023, has been a huge success for the BBC.
Hijack
Following series one back in June 2023, Apple TV bosses have now confirmed Idris Elba will return for a second series of Hijack! No plot or start date has been announced just yet, but reports are rife that production will begin soon.
Race Across The World
Series four of Race Across The World was one of the BBC's most popular shows of the year, and they were quick to renew the show for a fifth series. With applications closing in May this year, we suspect the show will air around Spring 2025.
The Handmaid's Tale
It has been a long time coming, but the sixth and final series of The Handmaid's Tale finally has a start date! The Handmaid's Tale series 6 will arrive on Hulu in the US on 8th April 2025. Unfortunaly, an official UK release date is yet to be confirmed, but hopefully it won't be too long after!
Vigil
Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie reprising their roles as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre in BBC drama Vigil. With filming set to begin in Scotland later this year, fans could see series three land in early 2026.
Clarkson's Farm
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Love Is Blind: UK
Following the successful first series of Love Is Blind: UK, with hosts Matt and Emma Willis, Netflix have now confirmed the series has been renewed for a second instalment! Applications are open now, with series two set to air in 2025.
Red Eye
ITV/STV crime drama Red Eye become one of the station's biggest shows in 2024, so it's no surprise it was commissioned for a second series. Filming started in March 2025, with Martin Compston joining the cast, but there's no word on any release date just yet.
Mrs Brown's Boys
The popular controversial comedy Mrs Brown's Boys is returning for a fifth season! The show made its almighty return to screens in 2023, with fans delighted at the news that not only do we have some festive specials on the way - but a brand new mini series coming our way - with filming set to begin in 2025.
Blue Lights
Another popular drama set to return to BBC One later this year is Blue Lights. Filming for series three kicked off in February, so we suspect it could land later this year.
Emily In Paris
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Trigger Point
Following two successful series, ITV/STV bosses announced in October 2024 that they'd commissioned Trigger Point for a third series, with production set to begin in London in 2025. Vicky McClure will reprise her role as bomb disposal operative Lana Washington, with series three expected to air sometime in early 2026.
Nobody Wants This
It was one of the most popular rom-coms of 2024, so it's no surprise Netflix bosses were quick to renew Nobody Wants This, starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell. Although there's no exact release date for series two just yet, it has been confirmed it will air in 2025, with production beginning in March.
The Day of the Jackal
Series one of thriller The Day of the Jackal has broken viewing records for Sky Atlantic, so there's no surprise that bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series, before the first was even over! Although there's no air date just yet, filming is expected to take place in 2025.
After The Flood
Actress Sophie Rundle played the role of Joanna Marshall in series one of ITV/STV drama After The Flood. The show was so popular it was immediately renewed for a second series, with Alun Armstrong, Jill Halfpenny, Ian Puleston-Davies and Matthew McNulty joining the cast. Filming for series two started in March 2025, so we suspect it could arrive later this year.
Deal or No Deal
Following it's reboot, quiz show Deal or No Deal has become increasingly popular with viewers, so it's no surprise fans are calling out for more. ITV/STV bosses are yet to officially confirm a third series, but they have announced a Soccer Aid special will air in June 2025.
Married At First Sight UK
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Amandaland
Following the first series of Motherland spin-off show Amandaland, BBC bosses were quick to renew comedy series Amandaland for a second series. Lucy Punch will return as Amanda, alongside Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne. There's so far been no word on when series two will land.
The Great British Bake Off
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Bullseye
Following the Christmas special in 2024, ITV/STV bosses have now confirmed they've commissioned a full series of iconic gameshow Bullseye, with Freddie Flintoff as host. The series is due to air later in 2025, as well as a brand new Christmas special.
Hunted
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Selling Sunset
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Unforgotten
After series six aired in early 2025, ITV/STV bosses were quick to recommission crime drama Unforgotten for a seventh series, with Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan set to return. There's no official start date just yet, but we imagine it will be early 2026.
Strictly Come Dancing
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I'm A Celeb
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The Masked Singer
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The Night Agent
After series two dropped on Netflix in January, bosses were quick to confirm The Night Agent would return for a third instalment, with Gabriel Basso as FBI agent Peter Sutherland. Production for series three started in February 2025, so it could land in early 2026.
Now read:
BBC bosses confirm second series of Gladiators
Full line-up confirmed for Celebrity Gladiators special
Everything you need to know about Gladiators
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