Gladiators
GenreGame show
Created byDan Carr
John Ferraro
Based onAmerican Gladiators
Presented byBradley Walsh
Barney Walsh
Starring
Narrated byGuy Mowbray
(voiceover)
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
Production
Executive producers
  • Dan Baldwin
  • Lou Brown
  • Dom Bird
Production locationSheffield Arena
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkBBC One
ReleaseJanuary 2024 (2024-01)
Related
Gladiators (1992–2000)
Gladiators (2008–2009)

Gladiators is a British television series which is set to air on BBC One from January 2024. It is a revival of the earlier series of the same name, itself based on the original American version of the show. The 11-part series is being made by Hungry Bear Media and MGM Alternative UK and will be hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son Barney.[1]

Production

In July 2022, it was reported that the BBC were in talks with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, who hold the rights to the original format, to relaunch the show on BBC One.[2] The reports were later confirmed by the BBC, who announced that the format would return to British television in 2023 and would be produced by Hungry Bear Media and MGM Television, thus making it the third British incarnation of the show, following the original series which aired between 1992 and 2000 on ITV and a prior revival which aired between 2008 and 2009 on Sky One.[3][4] The series, in which contenders compete against a group of elite athletes and bodybuilders known as the "Gladiators" in a series of athletic and physical tasks, was announced by the BBC as "the ultimate test of speed and strength".[5][6] The series was filmed at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield over the two first weeks of June 2023.[7]

Arena set design

The arena's design and layout is reminiscent of the original ITV version, with a rectangular arena surrounded on three sides by the audience, mainly black with highlights of red and blue. Unlike the 2008 series, there is no water element. The set features some modern electronic display technology, with the series logo being projected at "The Wall" when that event is not played.[8]

Format

The format of Gladiators is tournament-based with separate male and female competitions. In each episode, four contenders – two female and two male – compete firstly against the "Gladiators", a group of elite athletes and bodybuilders, across five speed- and strength-based events to accumulate points. This is followed by a final "Eliminator" event, which is a one-on-one obstacle course competition between the contenders themselves; in each pair, the person who won fewer points during the course of the episode starts the Eliminator with a time handicap. The winners of the Eliminators proceed to the series quarter-finals, which are followed by semi-finals and grand finals.

At the end of the series, only one female and one male contender can win the competition, and be crowned as a Gladiators champion.

Events

During an appearance on BBC Breakfast in May 2023, Gladiators Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Livi Sheldon, also known by the stage names "Nitro" and "Diamond", stated that there would be a "great host of new games" and that the series would see the return of some old games including Hang Tough, The Wall, Powerball, and Duel.[9] In addition, during an appearance in This Morning the same month, Gladiators Jamie Christian Johal, aka "Giant", Matt Morsia, aka "Legend", and Montell Douglas, aka "Fire", confirmed about the return of the event Gauntlet.[10]

Cast and crew

Presenters

In May 2023, it was announced that Bradley Walsh would co-host the revived series alongside his son Barney. Donna Walsh, Barney’s mother and Bradley’s wife, was head choreographer for the "G Force" troupe of cheerleaders on the 1992 series. Bradley also took part in a "Celebrities vs Jockeys" special episode of the programme in 1997.[1]

Gladiators

Throughout May 2023, the 16-strong roster of Gladiators were announced on Morning Live and The One Show, among other media outlets. Profiles were also released on the BBC Media Centre website.[11][12][13][14][15][16]

Female Gladiators
Alias Name Tenure Stats Biography
Athena Karenjeet Kaur Bains 1– 5 ft 5 in
Comet Ella-Mae Rayner 1– 5 ft 8 in
  • Former elite gymnast and cheerleader
  • Semi-professional diver
Diamond Livi Sheldon 1– 6 ft 0 in
  • Professional bodybuilder
  • Used to play football for a boys team at a younger age
Dynamite Emily Steel 1– 5 ft 5 in
  • Elite CrossFit athlete and National Swimming Champion
  • Youngest Gladiator in the current line-up; 20 years of age
Electro Jade Packer 1– 5 ft 8 in
  • Sports model, fitness coach, and bodybuilder
  • Hybrid-style CrossFit athlete
Fire Montell Douglas 1– 5 ft 10 in
  • First British woman to win at both Olympic Games; Bobsleigh and sprinting champion
  • Former British record holder for 100 metres with a time of 11.05 seconds
Fury Jodie Ounsley 1– 5 ft 7 in
  • Rugby union player
  • As born deaf, Fury is the Honorary President of UK Deaf Sport
Sabre Sheli McCoy 1– 5 ft 7 in
  • Scottish champion at both British Weightlifting and CrossFit Championships
Male Gladiators
Alias Name Tenure Stats Biography
Apollo Alex Gray 1– 6 ft 6 in
  • Former Rugby union and NFL player
Bionic Matty Campbell 1– 6 ft 6 in
  • Bodybuilder, former sprinter and footballer
Giant Jamie Christian Johal 1– 6 ft 5 in
  • Professional bodybuilder and former firefighter
  • One of the all-time tallest British bodybuilders
Legend Matt Morsia 1– 6 ft 2 in
  • Bodybuilder, powerlifter, and former PE teacher, long and triple jumper
  • His YouTube channel has over 350 million views
Nitro Harry Aikines-Aryeetey 1– 5 ft 10 in
  • Team GB Commonwealth, World, and European champion sprinter
  • Has won gold medals at both 100 metres and 200 metres
Phantom Toby Olubi 1– 6 ft 4 in
  • Olympics bobsledder and sprinter
Steel Zack George 1– 6 ft 0 in
  • CrossFit athlete
  • Titled UK’s Fittest Man in 2020
Viper Quang Luong 1– 6 ft 0 in
  • Bodybuilder and boxer
  • Has made an cameo in a James Bond movie as a soldier

Referees

In May 2023, the BBC announced the three referees for the series. The main referee is Mark Clattenburg, a former international football referee who adjudicated the 2012 Men's Olympic final and the 2016 Champions League and European Championship finals.

The other referees are Sonia Mkoloma, a former international netball player who competed at five Netball World Cups and three Commonwealth Games, and Lee Phillips, a fitness professional and firefighter who won gold medals in the Ultimate Firefighter and CrossFit events at the 2017 World Police and Fire Games.[17]

Commentator

In September 2023, the BBC announced that football commentator Guy Mowbray would provide "voiceover commentary" for the series. He has previously commentated for the European Championships and the Premier League.[18]

Contenders

The casting for the new contenders took place across England,[19][20] as well in Scotland[21] and Northern Ireland,[22] in April 2023.

Episodes

Series overview

Series Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 11[23] January 2024 2024

Series 1 (2024)

The first series is expected to premiere in January 2024, and will run through the first quarter of the year.[24] Presented by Bradley and Barney Walsh, it will feature eleven 60-minute long episodes.[23]

Future series

In November 2023 it was reported in newspapers that Holly Willoughby, who had recently left ITV's daytime show This Morning, was being considered by the BBC as a co-host alongside the Walsh's for a potential second series of the show.[24]

Controversies

Over ticketing

Numerous people turned up for the first day of filming having successfully applied for free tickets, only to be denied entry, due to the venue having reached its capacity. Many people arrived hours before the stated start time and were still denied entry, with some having travelled long distances and having paid £5 to park—while another group had travelled for four hours and stayed in a hotel overnight. This resulted in "lots of unhappy people and upset children".

Ticketing was organised by Applause Store, whose website states that tickets for TV and radio shows are "distributed in excess of studio capacity to compensate for 'no shows'".

Their website says, "seats are limited and ticket holders will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the capacity of the studio", and that admission is not guaranteed for any show or production. Applause Store also advises prospective attendees to arrive as early as possible, "before the 'arrive by' time on your ticket", to make sure you get a seat.[25]

Injuries

Two Gladiators during filming for the series sustained injuries. Ella-Mae Rayner—aka Comet—sustained a "severe foot injury". After a series of scans and X-rays, Rayner found out that she had broken her ankle and foot in multiple places, including the talus. Her other injuries included: a Lisfranc injury, three ruptured ligaments, and a dislocated bone. Sheli McCoy—aka Sabre—tore her hamstring. A spokesperson for the BBC said:

"The health and well-being of all Gladiators, contenders and crew is of paramount importance. Gladiators is one of the toughest and most physically demanding programmes on TV and due to the high-impact nature of the show it is not unusual for those competing to suffer injuries. In each instance, as soon as it became apparent that a potential injury had occurred, the correct protocol was immediately followed. The injured Gladiators are currently following medical advice and working on their recoveries."[26]

References

  1. 1 2 "Presenters Ready? Bradley and Barney Walsh are confirmed as hosts of Gladiators". BBC. May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  2. ↑ Frost, Caroline (July 30, 2022). "BBC in Talks with MGM Studios to Bring Back 'Gladiators', One of UK's Biggest 1990s Shows". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  3. ↑ "Gladiators BBC: Release date speculation, cast and host for reboot". Radio Times. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  4. ↑ Ritman, Alex (25 August 2022). "'Gladiators' Getting U.K. Reboot on BBC". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  5. ↑ Singh, Anita (May 4, 2023). "Bradley Walsh follows in wife's footsteps with son Barney as new Gladiators hosts". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  6. ↑ Didcock, Barry (August 31, 2022). "Contenders ready? They better be because Gladiators is back". Herald Scotland. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  7. ↑ Mannion, Jennifer (March 31, 2023). "Sheffield Arena to host return of hit 90s TV show Gladiators and audience tickets are free". Sheffield Star. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Gladiators fans 'complain to Ofcom' as thousands 'refused' entry for filming". Daily Express. 2 June 2023.
  9. ↑ "BBC One – Breakfast, 19/05/2023". BBC.
  10. ↑ This Morning, 18/05/2023
  11. ↑ "Get ready to feel their power - Fury and Steel named as the first Gladiators!". BBC.
  12. ↑ "New Gladiators Giant, Fire and Legend are ready to face the challenge of champions". BBC.
  13. ↑ "New Gladiators Nitro and Diamond are showing their strength and speed". BBC.
  14. ↑ "Sabre, Apollo and Dynamite have the heart of winners as they join Gladiators". BBC.
  15. ↑ "Athena and Comet have power in their soul as they become Gladiators". BBC.
  16. ↑ "Final Gladiators Bionic, Electro, Phantom and Viper revealed". BBC.
  17. ↑ "First look at the Gladiators line up and the referees keeping them in check". BBC.
  18. ↑ "Football commentator Guy Mowbray to call the action on BBC One's Gladiators".
  19. ↑ Fitzgerald, Katie (February 12, 2023). "'Gladiators, ready!': Contenders are needed for reboot of iconic 90s show Gladiators". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  20. ↑ Mack, Tom (February 25, 2023). "Contenders ready! Gladiators try-outs come to the Midlands ahead of cult show's return". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  21. ↑ Durham, Thomas (February 22, 2023). "Aberdeen contenders wanted for BBC Gladiators reboot with try-outs to start soon". Aberdeen Live. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  22. ↑ McLaughlin, Sophie (February 19, 2023). "Gladiators: Northern Irish contenders wanted for BBC reboot of iconic gameshow". Belfast Live. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  23. 1 2 "Gladiators reboot: When is it on? Who is hosting? Who are the new Gladiators? Which channel is it on?". Virgin Radio.
  24. 1 2 "Holly Willoughby to make 'TV comeback' with Bradley Walsh, claims insider". Daily Express. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  25. ↑ "Gladiators 2023 Sheffield: Fans left gutted as many are turned away from filming for BBC show at Utilita Arena".
  26. ↑ Rodger, James (June 19, 2023). "Gladiators star rushed to hospital for operation after 'severe injury'". BirminghamLive.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.