Which Gladiators are returning and everything else to know about series 2 (original) (raw)
Gladiators' reboot was a big hitter in the world of entertainment TV this year, so it was no shock to anybody when talk turned to a second series.
The 90s mega-hit was resurrected in January, with Bradley Walsh and his son Barney at the helm. It introduced viewers to a new generation of Gladiators, with the likes of Nitro, Diamond, Viper, Sabre and Legend enjoying the spotlight in the way that Wolf, Jet and co did in the original.
Viewers loved it, with more than four million tuning in to see contenders Finlay Anderson and Marie-Louise Nicholson triumph in the final in March.
So what does season 2 have in store? And which Gladiators will be back?
Is Gladiators definitely returning?
One thing we do know is that Gladiators is definitely coming back. The reboot was huge and the BBC moved fast, confirming a second run in March while Gladiators fever was still high.
The show introduced a new generation of Gladiators. (BBC)
“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," said head of entertainment Kalpna Patel-Knight at the time. "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.”
Plus, eagle-eyed fans have now spotted that tickets are available to watch the show being filmed on certain dates this summer.
Which Gladiators are coming back?
The reboot introduced 16 new athletes into the arena and by close of play in March, fans were as fond of them as they used to be of the show's original stars. But will they all be back next year?
A few have dropped big hints on social media that suggest they will be back. Posting on Instagram not long after the final, Sabre teased a comeback as she thanked fans for supporting the "wild ride" and told them: "This Kool Kitty will be back before you know it."
Apollo also seemed confident that he'd get to go up against the contenders once again, writing a little poem on Instagram that said: "Gladiators are blue, Saturdays won’t be the same without Apollo. That’s true.
"But your prayers have been answered and yes you can view. More tall, dark and handsome, when we get to season 2."
Dan Baldwin, whose Hungry Bear firm produced the remake, has also indicated that all of the Gladiators are coming back and that they are currently preparing for their next round of battles.
Baldwin, who is married to presenter Holly Willoughby, told The Star: "They're currently in a training regime so they come back bigger and stronger, so beware if you're planning to be a contender on the next series."
He warned: "The Gladiators were doing it for the first time this series but now they know what they're doing it's going to be so much tougher for the contenders."
Where will the new series be filmed and who will host?
Gladiators will be returning to the Utilita Arena Sheffield, where the first series was filmed. A new set of contenders will be heading there to take on challenges like The Edge, The Ring and Collision. And of course, the dreaded Eliminator.
Bradley and Barney Walsh were popular hosts. (Hungry Bear Media Ltd/BBC)
Bradley and Barney Walsh were very popular with viewers and are expected to be back as hosts of the series.
Will there be any changes?
While Gladiators was mainly embraced by viewers after the BBC breathed new life into it, there were a few grumbles.
One was that the cheerleaders from the original series weren’t included in the reboot. The show’s original host Ulrika Jonsson was among those to complain. Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine she said it was “a shame”. “I just don’t understand it,” said the star. “I don’t know if it's some kind of wokery?"
She went on: "The whole point, the cheerleaders brought such… they just brought another level and some depth it. And they were gorgeous and talented girls, we had such a lovely time together with them." So, could they be back this time?
Some viewers thought Gauntlet looked too easy. (Hungry Bear Media Ltd/BBC)
Another issue was that some fans were unimpressed with the Gauntlet game, which sees the contenders having to run past Gladiators trying to hold them back with big foam cushions. Many hopefuls scored high in the game and there were suggestions that it was too easy.
“They need to get rid of Gauntlet…” one person wrote on X during the series. “It's dead easy. Almost every contestant has battered it with no problem.” “Gauntlet remains a non-event in its current state,” said another, noting: “Everyone gets 10 points."
Other viewers have said they’d like to see some of the challenges from the original show brought back, such as Pendulum and Skytrak.
The show was a huge hit. (Hungry Bear Media Ltd/BBC)
Baldwin hasn’t confirmed anything, although he did tell The Star: “We do listen to what people say and we're making some changes to make it more exciting."
When will Gladiators series 2 air?
It is known that Gladiators will return in 2025, but so far an air date has yet to be announced. However, this year it started in January and, given that it’s being filmed over this summer, it’s reasonable to assume it will land around the same place in the calendar next year.
That means fans may not have long to wait to hear those familiar words: "Contenders ready! Gladiators ready!"