Prepare yourself, gladiators! We can’t wait to see who will compete in the BBC’s relaunch of the iconic show.
The gameshow is finally returning to our screens after more than two decades away, with a fresh new generation of superhuman Gladiators competing against a bold group of challengers in the ultimate test of speed, skill, stamina, and strength.
The original show debuted in 1992 on ITV and ran for eight seasons until 2000.
Following the revelation that father-son combo Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh will host the show, all that remains is to meet the contestants.
Here’s all we know thus far about our new Gladiators…
Fury
Fury, one of the first contestants unveiled, was called given her strength and love of competition.
Jodie Ounsley, a professional Exeter Chiefs rugby player, is a former England Women’s Rugby Sevens player, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu British Champion, and five-time World Coal Carrying Champion.
Jodie, who was named Deaf Sports Personality of the Year in 2020, has Gladiators in her blood, since her father was a contestant on the programme in 2008, and she has been trying to outdo him ever since.
Fury 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
Next up, is the UK’s fittest man, Zack George, who won that title in 2020.
The fitness enthusiast has placed number 26 out of a whooping 126,461 on the global CrossFit leader board, giving him the moniker “Unbreakable Strength.”
After embarking on his own personal fitness journey as a teenager, Zack was inspired to help others with their health, and as Steel, he aims to encourage a new, youthful generation of followers to get into fitness as well.
Steel said: ‘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.’
Giant
Jamie Christian Johal is the man behind the nickname Giant, a former fireman turned bodybuilder who stands at 6’5″ and is one of the all-time tallest bodybuilders.
‘I feel like everything in life has led me here,’ Giant stated ahead of his Gladiators debut.
‘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
Montell Douglas, a former Team GB sprinter and Olympic bobsledder, will be known as Fire.
The racer broke the British woman’s record for quickest 100m sprint in 11.05 seconds, breaking a mark that had stood for over three decades.
Being a Gladiator was a’secret longstanding goal of mine,’ Fire revealed, adding that she’s ‘fun, fearless, and a bit of a fire-cracker.’
‘It’s going to be really difficult to put me out!’
She added: ‘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
Legend, who was announced alongside Fire and Giant on This Morning, is former international athlete Matt Morsia.
He is a past Championship bronze medalist in long and triple jumps, as well as a silver medalist in powerlifting.
‘I’m a confident guy, and ultimately I’m just extremely good at doing stuff,’ he said on the ITV daytime show.
While Legend admitted he’d been ‘training like a beast for the show,’ he added that he ‘realistically 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,’ he boasted.
‘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.’
Gladiators returns to BBC later this year.
