Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ll have no doubt heard that popular '90s sports show Gladiators is making a TV comeback. This time round, The Chase’s Bradley Walsh and son Barney are hosting and the show will be on BBC One.
Gladiators originally aired on ITV between 1992 and 2000. The show would then get a Sky One revival in 2008 but that iteration only lasted a year before it was shelved.
The series, which has somewhat of a cult following, sees contestants battling against a 'Gladiator' in a number of events to secure points for the final event, The Eliminator.
Read more: Gladiators revival hosts announced and how to get tickets to be in the audience
The Gladiators are "ready" but which competitors are taking part in the new series? Here’s everything you need to know. For the latest TV and showbiz news sign up to our newsletter here.
Bionic (AKA Matty Campbell)
As a child Matty used to sprint and play football, reaching Academy Level. He had hoped to become a Pro until he was involved in a car crash, it was his rehabilitation that led him to finding the gym. Despite having never previously been a gym-goer, he found that he had a ability and he started gaining muscle. He soon fell in love with the gym and subsequently started Bodybuilding.
Matty said of joining Gladiators: “Never in a million years did I expect to get the call to be a Gladiator, it's a feeling that’ll never sink in. I’m just a normal lad from Teesside! All the training and hard work has finally paid off for me, I can’t wait to get started!”
Electro (AKA Jade Palmer)
Jade is a sports model, fitness coach and hybrid athlete who started her journey as a sprinter. Her speed and abilities led to her being ranked amongst the Top 10 Fastest Runners in the UK aged 12 for 150m and she went onto to race for titles at various championships over the 100m and 200m.
On becoming Electro, Jade said: "I hope Electro can spark an unstoppable pursuit for a new generation of athletes. I’m ready to light up the arena with a different kind of energy."
Phantom (AKA Toby Olubi)
Toby was part of the Team GB Bobsleigh team and competed in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. In the same season, he and his team broke the world record for the fastest ever bobsleigh at 97 mph. They also made history by bringing home Great Britain's first-ever gold medal in the 2018 Whistler World Cup.
Aside from bobsleigh, Toby has also been a sprinter a domestic level and has won the county championship for the UK men's 60m sprints and has frequently competed in the British men's 100m sprint Olympic qualifying championships. He has also won the title of fastest Bobsledder in the UK push championships for four consecutive year (2015-2019).
Toby said: "This is a dream come true for me. I’m a 90’s kid so the Gladiators of past were my version of real life superheroes. Now I’ve got the chance to don the big “G” and be an inspirational figure myself. Gladiators is all about stepping up against the odds and bringing the best version of yourself. We will be given the biggest entertainment platform to represent that ethos and I couldn’t be more proud and grateful to be a Gladiator…. Let the show begin!!"
Viper (Quang Luong)
Billed as the 'new Wolf', Quang Luong has dedicated his life to fitness, spending each day perfecting the art of bodybuilding. But it’s his precision and silent but fast reactions, that led to the name Viper. As well as bodybuilding, he boxes daily and prides himself on his speed. A fitness model, he’s often been cast in films in powerful roles, even appearing in a James Bond film as a soldier. Alongside his power and precision he’s looking to devour his competitors.
“I was born to be a Gladiator. I am strong, powerful and just like a Viper I can attack with speed,” Quang said of joining the show.
Athena (AKA Karenjeet Kaur Bains)
Described as a combination of "brains, brawn and beauty", Karenjeet becomes Athena in the new series of Gladiators. She's a winner of three gold and two silver Commonwealth powerlifting medals, the five time All England Powerlifting Champion and five time British Powerlifting Champion. Karenjeet has also represented Great Britain at the World and European Championships, and holds the Guinness World Record for the “Most Bodyweight Squats in a minute”. She's also a chartered accountant.
Speaking of joining the series, Karenjeet said: “I represent all those from diverse and minority backgrounds, especially women, that have ever been denied the opportunity to pursue their dreams in sport. I hope I can be a role model and show the levels a female can achieve, if she is given the opportunity to follow her passion and given the wings to fly!”
Comet (AKA Ella-Mae Rayner)
A former elite gymnast, Ella-Mae made the move into semi-professional in diving before starting her degree in sport science. At university she successfully coached and competed in university cheerleading championships. But it wasn’t until she suffered a career changing ankle injury, that she found her love for the gym. She now trains six times a week, alongside being a fitness model and coach.
Discussing her new role as Comet, Ella-Mae said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be Comet. I loved watching Gladiators growing up. I specifically remember Jet, she was an icon for me as a child and one of the reasons I become a gymnast. I can’t believe I will be following in her footsteps. It really is a dream come true”.
Sabre (AKA Sheli McCoy)
Athlete Sheli 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. She also runs her own gym in Dundee.
Of joining Gladiators, she said: “I truly hope Sabre will inspire and empower the younger generation of strong capable females just as the Gladiators I once watched inspired me to be a confident athletic women. It is Sabre’s time to shine - here come the powerful girls!”
Apollo (AKA Alex Gray)
Alex Gray is Apollo in the new series of Gladiators. He 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.
Alex was scouted to go to NFL for his skillset, making him the first British rugby player to transfer over to the NFL. He signed for Atlantic Falcons and then became the first international player to Captain an NFL team.
"Gladiator ready?? You better believe I am!!," Alex said of joining the show, "After playing Rugby and in the NFL, the opportunity to inspire as Apollo is a dream come true. I plan on leading from the front and never giving up"
Dynamite (AKA Emily Steel)
Emily Steel is the youngest Gladiator in the new series as she becomes Dynamite. The 20-year-old's background is in swimming, which is something she did until she was 15 years old. She is now a full-time elite CrossFit athlete and also juggles second year studies full-time at university.
She said: “I’m too young to remember the original Gladiators, but my parents loved it and suggested I try out. Dynamite really does represent who I am and I’m excited to showcase what I can do in the games."
Diamond (AKA Livi Sheldon)
Standing at 6ft, Livi Sheldon is a bodybuilder who reached the British final of 'England Toned Figure'. With a degree in Sports Science, her love for the subject developed at an early age playing football from the age of just six with a boys' football team - she later went on the play for Worcester City Ladies team.
Diamond - like her namesake - is 'unbreakable', resilient and oh so strong. Speaking of joining Gladiators, Livi said: "When I was growing up I used to get picked on for being taller than everyone else. Now I get to show everyone that being unique is your superpower. I can’t wait to get into the arena and take on the contenders as Diamond."
Nitro (AKA Harry Aikines Aryeetey)
Announced on BBC Breakfast, Nitro, whose real name is Harry, is a team GB gold medallist winning sprinter who was the first athlete to win gold in both the 100 and 200 metres sprint at the World Youth Championships.
Since, he has an impressive number of achievements under his belt: BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year (at just 17), two Olympic medals, three European Champion wins, two Commonwealth Champion titles alongside a silver medal, a British champion title and many more. Now, he's bringing is lightening speed and agility to Gladiators.
He said: "Becoming a Gladiator is another great achievement. A childhood dream come true. You never know what is coming in life, each day is there to be enjoyed and savouring all opportunities is a must! It literally gives me energy and strength. I can’t wait to be in the arena and bring Nitro to Gladiators."
Giant (AKA Jamie Christian Johal)
Giant was announced on This Morning alongside Fire and Legend. The former firefighter turned bodybuilder's real name is Jamie Christian Johal.
Standing at 6ft 5 inches he made history by becoming one of the all-time tallest bodybuilders. Now he’s bringing that power into the Gladiators arena. He may look like a big, friendly giant, but don't be fooled, he won't be holding back when it comes to the games.
Giant said: "I feel like everything in life has lead me here. I’m honoured to be part of this iconic show that I watched as a child. I’ll be bringing my GIANT stature and personality so contenders better come prepared."
Fire (AKA Montell Douglas)
Montell has been described as "fierce, fast, unpredictable, and dangerous" and "will burn through the arena destroying anyone who gets in her way," earning her the name Fire.
Fire is a former Team GB Sprinter and Olympic Bobsledder, she held the British woman's record for fastest 100m sprint at 11.05 seconds, smashing the previous record which had stood unbeaten for 27 years. In January 2022, Montell made sporting history to become the first female UK athlete to compete at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
In 2010, she won Commonwealth Gold in the 4x100m relay race in Delhi - and holds a European Under-23 Silver Medal in 100m. Montell moved into bobsledding in 2016, and the following year finished within the Top 10 at her World Cup debut. When competing at the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, Montell returned to the city where she had competed 14 years previously at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Fire said: "I'm so pleased I’ve been asked to be Fire. Being a Gladiator has been a secret lifelong dream of mine. As a strong and powerful woman, I'm living proof that you can achieve your dreams, no matter what age or background, if you believe and keep pushing. I’m ready to light up the competition."
Legend (AKA Matt Morsia)
Former international athlete, Matt Morsia describes himself as a Legend - hence the name. The former Championship bronze medal winning long and triple jumper, and silver medal winning powerlifter, loved the ‘showmanship’ of competing. After retiring from international competitions, he continued performing to a huge audience becoming highly successful fitness influencer and professional YouTuber - amassing over 355 million views.
Legend said: "I've been training like a beast for the show but realistically I didn’t need to. I could've spent the last two months eating doughnuts and playing Dungeons & Dragons and I’d still be better than everyone else. I’m called Legend for a reason! I can only apologise for the irreparable damage I’m about to do to the contenders. Actually, that’s a lie, I’m not sorry at all. I’m actively looking forward to it"
Fury (AKA Jodie Ounsley)
Professional Exeter Chiefs rugby player, Jodie Ounsley, is the show's first Gladiator and has been named Fury thanks to her power and passion for competition. A former England Women’s Rugby Seven’s player, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu British Champion and five times World Coal Carrying champion, she won the title of Deaf Sports Personality of The Year in 2020.
Jodie’s father was a contender on the show in 2008, and she has been training to outdo him ever since. When she was younger she even dressed up as a Gladiator and practised the games in her living room. Contenders beware, when that game starts you’ll feel the wrath of ‘Fury’.
Speaking of her role in the series, Jodie said: “Watching Gladiators growing up I was always in awe of their strength and power and now I am one! I hope contenders are ready to feel the Fury."
Steel (AKA Zack George)
UK CrossFit star, Zack George, won the title of the UK’s Fittest Man in 2020, and also ranked number 26 out of a whopping 126,461 on the global CrossFit leader board. His unbreakable strength has earned him the name Steel.
Zack was motivated to help people with their fitness after undertaking his own personal fitness journey as a teenager. As Steel, he hopes that he can inspire a new, young generation of fans to get into fitness as well. Like Steel he’s strong, tough and nothing will break him, including those contenders.
Zack said of joining Gladiators: "I was inspired by the Gladiators as a child, but never imagined I’d be physically fit enough to be considered a ‘superhuman’! I hope a new generation of fans will look up to me as their new strong, unbreakable hero, Steel."
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