Everything you need to know about the new season of the BBC’s Gladiators
Everything you need to know about the new season of the BBC’s Gladiators
The iconic Gladiators is set to make a triumphant return for its second series. The BBC’s cult classic gameshow is gearing up to dazzle audiences with even more challenging contests this weekend.
Fans are buzzing with excitement as the first episode of the revamped Gladiators series aired tonight (January 18) at 5:50 pm on BBC One, bringing back Bradley Walsh and his son Barney Walsh as the dynamic hosting duo. This season introduces two new Gladiators to the arena, whose identities are shrouded in mystery, alongside two fresh events – the classic Atlasphere making a comeback and an all-new challenge dubbed Unleash.
Ahead of the high-octane premiere, here’s what you need to know about what’s in store for Gladiators season two including the full cast line up, according to the Mirror.
Bionic (Matty Campbell).
Matty Campbell, known in the Gladiator ring as Bionic, is a 29-year-old ex-footballer who pivoted to bodybuilding after a life-changing car accident. “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,” said an astonished Bionic, reports Devon Live.
Electro (Jade Packer).
Jade Packer, stepping into the role of Electro, is no ordinary 26-year-old. Her impressive resume boasts achievements in bodybuilding, sports modelling, fitness coaching, and being a hybrid athlete, marking her as a formidable contender. At just 12 years of age, Electro has managed to secure a spot amongst the UK’s top 10 fastest runners. .
Phantom (Toby Olubi).
Meet Toby Olubi – Phantom – the 37-year-old powerhouse and former Team GB bobsleigh competitor at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. This four-time national push champion in bobsledding is not just about power; he’s also got a flair for sprinting.
Viper (Quang Luong).
Then there’s the notorious Viper, whose real name is Quang Luong. With a 15-year history in bodybuilding, regular boxing sessions, modelling gigs and movie roles, he’s truly diverse. His confident claim is hard to forget: “I was born a Gladiator. I am strong, powerful and just like a Viper, I can attack with speed.”
Comet (Ella-Mae Rayner).
Looking at Comet, or Ella-Mae Rayner, you’ll find a 29-year-old who hails from a background in elite gymnastics and semi-professional diving, trains six days a week and holds a degree in sports science. She grew up inspired by the original 90s series, once confessing that Jet was “one of the reasons I became a gymnast”.
Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains).
Athena, portrayed by 28-year-old Karenjeet Kaur Bains, isn’t just a decorated powerlifting champ; she’s also smashed her way into the Guinness World Record books for the most bodyweight squats completed in one minute. Outside the gym, she’s balancing numbers as a chartered accountant.
Sabre (Sheli McCoy)
At 36 years of age, Sheli McCoy, better known as Sabre onstage, invests a hefty 16-19 hours each week in training. This dedication has seen her compete at various British weightlifting championships. Offstage, she has revealed that she wants her character to “inspire” and “empower” the younger generation to pursue their dreams.
Apollo (Alex Gray)
Alex Gray, 33, who takes on the mantle of Apollo in the show, brings with him a rich history in both rugby and NFL, earning praise for his competitive nature. He has spoken out about his role, stating: “After playing rugby and in the NFL, the opportunity to inspire as Apollo is a dream come ‘true’.”
Dynamite (Emily Steel)
With youth on her side, 21-year-old Emily Steel, alias Dynamite, may not recall the original series of Gladiators, but her participation honours her parents, staunch fans of the show. She has been quoted saying: “Dynamite really does represent who I am, and I’m excited to showcase what I can do in the games.”
Diamond (Livi Sheldon)
Diamond’s real-life counterpart, Livi Sheldon, towers above many at 6 feet tall and boasts accolades in bodybuilding at the age of 30. Reflecting on her journey, she mentioned how childhood experiences shaped her: “When I was growing up, I used to get picked on for being taller than everyone else.”
She added that now she embraces her uniqueness, asserting: “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.”
Fury (Jodie Ounsley)
Meet Fury, aka Jodie Ounsley, a 23-year-old rugby pro with the Exeter Chiefs and former England women’s rugby sevens player. She’s also a British champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a five-time world coal carrying champion. In 2020, Ounsley, who wears a cochlear implant, was named deaf sports personality of the year.
Steel (Zack George)
Next up is Steel, aka Zack George, 34, who was crowned the UK’s Fittest Man in 2020 and is a strong contender on the global CrossFit leaderboard. He’s thrilled to join the show, saying: “I was inspired by the Gladiators as a child, but never imagined I’d be physically fit enough to be considered a ‘superhuman’.”
Giant (Jamie Christian Johal)
Then there’s Giant, aka Jamie Christian Johal, 39, a former firefighter and one of the world’s tallest bodybuilders at 6ft 5 inches tall. “I feel like everything in life has led me here. I’m honoured to be part of this iconic show that I watched as a child,” he said.
Fire (Montell Douglas)
Fire, aka Montell Douglas, 38, is a former sprinter and bobsledder who made history in 2022 as the first female athlete to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics. After her stint on last year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she clinched sixth place with pro dancer Johannes Radebe, Fire is set to return to the spotlight.
Legend (Matt Morsia)
Meanwhile, Legend, better known as Matt Morsia, a 38-year-old ex-international athlete and bodybuilder, has earned accolades as an award-winning triple jumper and powerlifter. Not just an athlete, Legend has also carved out a successful career as a social media influencer and penned a Sunday Times bestselling book on training.
In another update, Nitro, also known as Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, the 36-year-old former Team GB sprinter and world gold medallist, will unfortunately miss out on competing in the upcoming series due to a knee injury sustained during training. Despite this setback, he plans to cheer on his teammates from the sidelines.
“Speed is my thing, but sometimes life throws a curveball! During training for series 2 earlier this year, I picked up an unexpected knee injury, which means I’ll be shifting gears this series and sitting out the events,” Nitro revealed on Instagram last month.