Your ultimate recap of Gladiators series 1
The final took place on Saturday 30th March!
If you cast your minds back to the 90s, you'll no doubt remember sitting down in front of the TV on a Saturday night to watch popular entertainment show Gladiators, which originally aired between 1992 and 2000.
The hit show, which involved contestants going up against 'Gladiators' in events such as The Wall, Danger Zone, Swingshot, Hang Tough and Duel, officially returned to our screens in January 2024, and after 10 episodes, the final took place on 30th March! As we await for series two, here's your ultimate recap of the rebooted series.
Who won Gladiators?
Marie-Louise Nicholson and Finlay Anderson were crowned the female and male winners of the first rebooted series.
When was the Gladiators final?
The final episode aired at 5.50pm on Saturday 30th March.
The 60-minunte episode aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Who was in the final?
After 10 tough weeks, four contenders made it to the big final, including two male and two female contestants.
In the female category, Bronte Jones took on Marie-Louise Nicholson in the final.
In the male category, Finlay Anderson took on Wesley Male in the final.
What is the prize for winning?
Fans of the show were left confused when there didn't appear to be a cash prize for winning the 2024 series.
Back in the earlier series which aired on ITV/STV, 12 cars and prizes totalling more than £45,000 were won over seven series.
Who are the Gladiators?
1\6 Gladiators were revealed for the new series, but two were unfortunately forced to pull out due to injury.
You can check the 2024 Gladiators out 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.
When did Gladiators start?
After teasing it was 'coming soon' at the end of 2023, the rebooted series started on Saturday 13th January at 5.50pm, with over six million people tuning in and calling it the 'best reboot yet'.
What channel is Gladiators on?
The revived series aired on BBC and BBC iPlayer.
Who hosts the new series of Gladiators?
On Wednesday 3rd May it was announced that father and son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh would host the revived series.
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 ?!“
Barney added: “Gladiators has been a massive part of our family and it’s an honour to be asked to co-host this iconic show. I’m so excited for everyone to see the spectacle, elite athletes and fantastic family entertainment that is GLADIATORS.”
Who are the referees on Gladiators?
Ex Premier League Football referee Mark Clattenburg has taken on the role for the new series, with Sonia Mkoloma and Lee Phillips also joining him to keep the Gladiators in check.
Who is the commentator on Gladiators?
It was announced in September that popular football commentator Guy Mowbray would be the new commentator on Gladiators.
Guy said: "It’s an absolute joy to be the voice of such an iconic show. The Saturday night memories will come flooding back for many, whilst it’s brilliant to think of a new generation being introduced to an all new, even more ripped group of Gladiators! They are serious athletes, as are all the contenders who’ve been bold enough to take them on. The best thing for me is that the format is the same as it ever was - only better!"
Guy has worked with the BBC on a number of high-profile sporting events in the past, such as the Premier League, The FA Cup, The UEFA Nations League, and the African Cup of Nations.
What challenges are on Gladiators?
The brand new series of Gladiators included both classic challenges, as well as a whole host of new games! And just like the past, each episode ended with the infamous Eliminator.
The rebooted show features classic games such as Duel, The Wall, Powerball, Gauntlet, Hang Tough, with new games The Ring, Collision and The Edge.
Where was Gladiators filmed?
The first rebooted series was filmed at the Utilita Arena Sheffield during the first week in June 2023.
Why did Gladiators return?
In 2022, BBC bosses confirmed the amazing news that they'd revived the popular 90s show.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s director of 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.”
Bosses dropped the first trailer for the show on Christmas Day.
Dan Baldwin, managing director of Hungry Bear Media, added: “It’s the perfect time for Gladiators to return.
“What other show combines electric excitement, superheroes, giant sponge fingers, elite athletes, and a pinch of pantomime? Watch out for the new breed of superhuman, supersized, superstars bursting on to your screens on BBC One and iPlayer.”
Will there be more series of Gladiators?
There will! BBC bosses confirmed the show has been renewed for a second series on Thursday 28th March!
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?!?”
Filming for series two takes place in August, you can read all about the second series right here.
How can I apply to be on Gladiators?
Applications for series two opened on Thursday 28th March, with applicants being urged to apply online.
Applications closed at midnight on Wednesday 19th June.
Will there be a celebrity version of Gladiators?
BBC bosses confirmed earlier this year that a celebrity special of Gladiators will take place! Filming for the special took place over two days on 7th-8th August 2024, with four celebs signed up.
Check out the 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!"
When was Gladiators last on TV?
After originally airing on ITV in the 90s with Gladiators such as Jet, Lightning, Ace, Wolf and Warrior, Sky One revived the show back in 2008, but the programme only lasted one year.
The original show had eight successful series running between October 1992 and January 2000, featuring the late John Anderson and his famous "Contender ready! Gladiator ready!" quote.
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