Gladiators will return to television screens after more than two decades, and fans of the BBC programme have already been exposed to a fresh cast of participants.
The all-new gladiators are undoubtedly an amazing lot, ranging from professional rugby player Fury to the UK’s fittest man, Steel, and have even consented to a’sex and beer prohibition’ as part of the iconic show’s relaunch.
Backstage, though, the sexual tension between the gladiators is claimed to be “soaring.”
‘The Gladiators have all universally agreed to keep things PG,’ a source said this week.
‘They’re professional sportspeople, many from Olympic or league-level sports, so they’re treating the show like any other competition – pure professionalism, eating, training and sleeping right – which means no sex and no booze.’
They added to the Sun: ‘But of course, they’re all fit, gorgeous, and spending a lot of time wearing tiny Lycra costumes.
‘The amount of flirty banter and sexual tension backstage is ridiculous.’
Bradley Walsh and his son Barney have been announced to co-host the relaunch.
Bradley’s wife Donna was the original series’ chief choreographer for the cheerleaders, and Bradley says he can’t wait to be a part of the relaunch.
Bradley, 63, raved: ‘I can’t believe that I’ve been asked to be part of this iconic show. I used to sit backstage, or in the audience, every week watching my wife be part of this juggernaut and now I get to co-host a new version of Gladiators.
‘Saturday night family entertainment at its best.’
The show, which was a staple of primetime television in the 1990s, made gladiators like Jet and Wolf household names.
The legendary series pits ordinary people against highly trained athletes in a brutal, physical competition.
Confirming its return, Kate Phillips, head of BBC Unscripted said: ‘Gladiators is back, and a whole new generation of viewers can now look forward to watching a Saturday night spectacle like no other. Will the contenders have the will and the skill to succeed against our mighty new Gladiators? You’ll have to tune in to find out!’
