Your ultimate recap of Gladiators series 2
The show has been renewed for a third series!
Last updated 24th Jun 2025
It's safe the say the BBC's reboot of 90s gameshow Gladiators was certainly a success last year. With millions of viewers tuning in each week, the show was praised, with many calling it the 'best reboot yet'.
Ahead of the series one final on Saturday 30th March last year, bosses confirmed the show had been renewed for a second series, and it has been keeping the nation entertained, airing every Saturday night, until the big final in April 2025!
Now the show is over for another year, here's your ultimate recap of series two.
When was it on TV?
Series two started on Saturday 18th January at 5.50pm, with episodes airing every Saturday night. The final episode is scheduled for Saturday 12th April at 5.50pm.
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?!?”
Dom Bird, SVP, MGM Alternative, International then said: “It's been incredible to see Gladiators re-igniting the excitement that this show has always delivered on Saturday nights in the UK. We are delighted a second series has been confirmed for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and we can’t wait to get back into the arena with our partners at Hungry Bear Media and the BBC.”
Who are the Gladiators?
On Tuesday 23rd July 2024, BBC bosses confirmed all 16 Gladiators from series one would be returning for the second series, including the likes of Fury, Giant, Viper, Athena, Diamond and Legend.
On Wednesday 15th January, two brand new Gladiators were unveiled, in the form of Cyclone and Hammer.
During the first episode on Saturday 18th January, hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh revealed that Gladiator Nitro had sustained a knee injury and wouldn't be able to compete in the second series.
Check out all 18 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.
Cyclone (Lystus Ebosele)
Lystus is a classic powerlifter who represents Ireland.
Hammer (Tom Wilson)
Tom is an indoor rower who won the 2024 British Indoor Rowing Championships.
How many episodes?
Series two was made up of 11 episodes.
When was the final?
The final took place on Saturday 12th April at 5.50pm.
Who was in the final?
Following the second Semi Final on Saturday 5th April, it was Anelia, Amanda, Joe and Mus who competed in the final.
Although it was contestant Zavia who actually won the second Semi Final, bosses shared an update after the show, saying: 'Unfortunately, due to an injury sustained during the Semi-Final, the brilliant Zavia can no longer compete in our Final next weekend.
'The fastest female runner-up from the Semi-Finals was Aneila and she will therefore join Amanda, Joe and Mus, as they take to the arena for one last time, to see who will be crowned our Gladiator champions for 2025!'. (sic)
Who won series two?
Amanda Wah and Joe Fishburn were crowned the female and male winners of the second series.
What channel was it on?
Gladiators airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Who were the series two contestants?
Heat One: Nathan, Scott, Zavia and Katie
Heat Two: Joe, Aman, Nikki and Keeva
Heat Three: Lewis, Mus, Toni and Amanda
Heat Four: Joe, Junior, Stacey and Poppy
Heat Five: Nush, Andy, Rachel and Aneila
Quarter Final 1: Joe, Mus, Zavia and Poppy
Quarter Final 2: Joe, Lewis, Anelia, Amanda
Quarter Final 3: Nathan, Andy, Rachel, Keeva
Semi Final 1: Keeva, Amanda, Joe F, Joe H
Semi Final 2: Zavia, Anelia, Nathan, Mus
Final: Anelia, Amanda, Joe and Mus
Who hosted the show?
Father-and-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh were back to host the show for the second series.
Will there be another series?
YES! It's now been confirmed Gladiators has been renewed for a third series, which is set to air in early 2026.
On top of that, there will also be a second celebrity series!
Can I apply?
Applications for series two closed at midnight on Wednesday 19th June 2024, with applications for series three opening in March 2025.
The application website stated: 'Gladiators, one of the most exciting and energetic sports entertainment game shows ever is back for a third series. We are on the look out for the bravest members of the British public who have the speed and skill to take on our superhuman Gladiators.
'If you believe you have what it takes, then apply via the link below.'
Applications closed at midnight on Wednesday 18th June 2025.
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