First four contenders announced for Gladiators series 3
Bradley and Barney Walsh return to host the show this weekend
Last updated 22 hours ago
Following the second celebrity special in December, the BBC has now revealed the first four contenders for the upcoming third series Gladiators. The hugely-anticipated third series is set to come to our screens on Saturday 17th January.
After filming took place in July 2025, excitement is heating up for the new series, so here's everything you need to know.
Who are the contenders?
A day before the third series is set to air, four contenders have now been announced. Two men and two women will take on the challenges and Gladiators in the first episode.
Heat One: Finn, Josh, Rachael and Naomi
Finn, a 23-year-old welder from the Lake District will take on the Gladiators alongside 27-year-old Josh from Glasgow, who is an area sales manager. Meanwhile 39-year-old Rachael, who is a priest from Darlington, will take on the Gladiators with 40-year-old Naomi, who is a business consultant from Birmingham.
Will there be another series of Gladiators?
Confirming a new series on Tuesday 24th June, Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, said: “Audiences have loved getting together to watch our mighty Gladiators take on contenders from all across the UK with younger fans especially excited to cheer on their Saturday night superheroes. With this brand-new series and another Celebrity Special confirmed there will be even more epic battles, more high-octane action and of course even more foam fingers than ever before for everyone to look forward to!”
Dan Baldwin, Managing Director of Hungry Bear Media added: “We have been absolutely blown away by the reception Gladiators has received from families up and down the country. It has become a HUGE part of Saturday night viewing on the BBC. We are extremely excited to deliver another series, so expect even more spandex, hairspray, protein shakes and fake tan this summer in Sheffield!”
When is it on TV?
The third series of Gladiators will begin at 5.45pm on Saturday 17th January 2026, with new episodes every Saturday night.
The exciting news was announced on social media, alongside the caption: 'Fast. Fierce. Unstoppable. The wait is nearly over… Are you ready? 💪💥
'Brand New Gladiators - Sat 17th Jan. 5.45pm BBC One and @bbciplayer' . (sic)
What channel is it on?
Series three will air on BBC One. You can watch all previous episodes on BBC iPlayer now.
Will there be any new events?
Yes, there will. According to the promo video shared by the BBC, there will be three new events in series three. There will be two brand new events, Everest, Destruction, and the returning 90s classic Suspension Bridge.
How many episodes?
Series three will be made-up of 11 episodes.
Who is hosting?
Father-and-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh will once again host the show.
When is filming?
Filming took place at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield in July 2025.
Who are the Gladiators?
Series three will feature Fire, Hammer, Legend, Comet, Dynamite, Apollo, Sabre, Nitro, Giant, Cyclone, Fury, Viper, Athena, Steel, Diamond, Bionic, Phantom and Electro.
Check out all of the 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.
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