Celebrity Gladiators: Date, hosts and contestants
Four celebs will take part!
Last updated 10th Dec 2024
Following the success of the BBC's rebooted series of Gladiators earlier this year, bosses were quick to announce a second series had been commissioned, and now there's even more exciting news regarding the show!
The second series will feature a celebrity special, featuring some famous names taking on the tough challenges like The Wall, Danger Zone, Swingshot, Hang Tough and Duel.
When is it on TV?
The celebrity special will ait at 6pm on New Year's Day.
Who is on Celebrity Gladiators?
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 feature 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.
When was it filmed?
Filming for Celebrity Gladiators took place over two days on Wednesday 7th August and Thursday 8th August, 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 is hosting?
Just like the main show, father-and-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh will host 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?!?”
Check out which other shows we can't wait for the return of:
Gavin & Stacey
Five years after THAT cliffhanger ending of the last Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, Ruth Jones and James Corden have now confirmed they've written another Christmas special for 2024! Sharing the news in May, the pair confirmed the brand new episode will air on Christmas Day.
Outnumbered
BBC bosses confirmed in May that award-winning comedy Outnumbered will return for a brand new Christmas special in 2024! The original cast Hugh Dennis, Claire Skinner, Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez will all reprise their roles. The special is expected to air on Christmas Day.
Squid Game
Another roaring Netflix success, Squid Game had us all hooked when it was released in 2021. Breaking records and topping streaming charts, the show proved incredibly popular and after THAT ending, left us all wanting more.
Show creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has confirmed that season two is officially happening, and now the third and final season has been announced for 2025. In July 2024, Netflix bosses confirmed series two will land on 26th December 2024.
Missing You
Following the success of Fool Me Once in January 2024, Netflix were quick to announce they were adapting two more Harlan Coben books. The first one to land is Missing You, with bosses now revealing it will be available to stream on 1st January 2025.
The Traitors
Following that tense final of The Traitors series two earlier this year, fans cannot wait for the return of the show, with series three landing on 1st January 2025. In August 2024, BBC bosses also announced the show had been renewed for a fourth series, with filming set to begin in 2025.
The Night Agent
After series one was Netflix's most-watched show of 2023, bosses were quick to commission The Night Agent for a second series! Netflix have now announced series two will land on Thursday 23rd January 2025. The show has also now been renewed for a third series.
Gladiators
Following the hugely successful first series, BBC bosses were quick to announce Gladiators had been commissioned for a second series! Although there's no official start date, filming took place in August, which also included a celebrity special!
Dancing On Ice
Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby are set to return in early 2025 for a brand new series of Dancing On Ice, with a whole new bunch of celebs signing up to take part in 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.
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!
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.
Unforgotten
Following the tense ending to series five in April 2023, ITV/STV bosses were quick to reveal drama series Unforgotten had been commissioned for a sixth series. Filming started in March 2024, so we imagine the new episodes could land later in the year.
Black Mirror
In March 2024, Netflix bosses revealed a seventh series of Black Mirror will land in 2025, with one of the episodes set to be a sequel to series four episode USS Callister. No official date has been announced just yet.
The Bay
ITV/STV drama The Bay was immediately renewed for a fifth series, following the fourth in 2023. Marsha Thomason is set to reprise her role as DS Jenn Townsend. Although there's no start date just yet, filming wrapped in July 2024.
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.
Clarkson's Farm
Following three amazing series, Prime Video confirmed a fourth series was in the works in 2024, with it due to land in 2025. As if that wasn't enough, Jeremy has now confirmed series five is in production!
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 is due to begin in 2025, 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.
Emily In Paris
That's right, after things got pretty interesting for Emily Cooper as we saw her set up camp in Rome, starring actress Lily Collins answered our prayers as she confirmed that a fifth season is officially on the way - with fans taking it upon themselves to dub the season 'Emily In Rome'.
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, we suspect it will be sometime in 2025.
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.
Now read:
BBC bosses confirm second series of Gladiators
Full line-up confirmed for Celebrity Gladiators special
Everything you need to know about Gladiators