Michael Van-Wijk: Last News

Gladiators star Wolf, whose real name is Michael Van Wijk, has revealed he is still carrying an injury from the show more than two decades after it ended. Mike became a household name in the 90s, thanks to his role on ITV's Gladiators, which was hosted by Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu.

This Morning presenters Josie Gibson and Dermot O'Leary were left visibly stunned as they attempted to interview Gladiators star Viper on the ITV show, but he refused to speak for the entirety of the segment. Josie, 38, and Dermot, 50, hosted This Morning together on Tuesday, 16 January, and the duo met three Gladiators, following the launch of the BBC's reboot of the hit 90s show. Quang Luong, known as Viper, Matt Morsia, AKA Legend, and Jodie Ounsley, who goes by the name Fury, all appeared on the daytime show to speak about be part of the new cast of Gladiators.

Gladiators made a return to the small screen on Saturday night 32 years on from its debut as the BBC launched a brand new batch up power hungry and determined team to take on contestants trying to battle it out.

Contenders, ready? Gladiators, ready? Well you better be as after 24 years away from our screens, Gladiators is making its return – this time to the BBC, with father-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh taking to hosting duties. Known for its gruelling obstacles and seemingly impossible The Eliminator challenge, Gladiators first launched onto TV back in 1992 before coming to an end in 2000.The show was briefly revived by Sky One between 2008 and 2009, with former contestant Michael Van Wijk, known as Wolf, returning as a Leader Of The Pack. However, Michael isn’t the only Gladiator who has remained interested in all things health and fitness.

Gladiators is about to return to our screens, 24 years after the original ended in 2000. And it has a completely new look, a sparkling arena, new Gladiators and two new hosts. Bradley Walsh, 63, and his son, Barney, 26, are taking over to present the show in front of a live audience - celebrate the contestants when they have a win, and console them when they lose.

ORIGINAL Gladiator Wolf has been knocked out in the first round of the reality TV version of Squid Game. The bodybuilder, real name Michael Van Wijk, was believed to have been flown to Britain from his home in New Zealand by producers. But he was eliminated during the Red Light, Green Light challenge.

Gladiators star Wolf appeared on Good Morning Britain today to talk about the reboot of the popular hit show of the 90s - and he looks completely different.

Wolf was one of the most formidable characters on hit 90s show Gladiators when it was at its prime, recognisable with his curly mane of hair and steely stare. Fast-forward to 2022 and the actor-bodybuilder who played him, Michael Van Wijk, 69, looks a lot different from his show heyday, with a shaved head and a life far removed from the UK. In what may be a surprise to some, Michael is also different to his iconic ruthless character, and is famously nice in real life.

Gladiators legend Wolf has said the new cast will "never be as good" as the originals.The much-loved show is being brought back for an 11-episode run next year, after a lot of gossip and rumours about a revamp being in the pipeline.Wolf, real name Michael Van Wijk, was quizzed about its comeback on GB News and teased that the newcomers would be like photocopies of the original Gladiators.READ MORE: Gladiators stars talk backstage secrets - 'rivalries', outfit swaps and banned eventsDiscussing his own stint on the programme, which originally aired from 1992 to 2000, he said: "It was absolutely a wonderful time in our lives, I can say this for me and all the guys."But with all due respect, they'll never be as good as us.

Michael Van Wijk is best known for his stint as bad guy Wolf on the iconic show Gladiators, but the star is sporting a very different look compared to his time on the show.

Gladiators famously aired in the 1990s in the UK and quickly became one of the most popular shows on TV.With the likes of Lightning, Jet, Wolf and Saracen appearing on the show among many other famous gym-goers, it's no surprise the series stayed on air for a whopping eight-year run.READ MORE: Gladiators' Saracen reveals what producers 'forced' him to do during every showHowever, when it ended in 2000, the stars went their separate ways and focused on their dreams away from the competitive TV show - and some closed the door on TV forever.Michael Van Wijk had a handful of acting credits while he was on the TV show, but after his stint on BBC he moved overseas and opened a chain of gyms - and had quite the transformation.Despite finishing his time on Gladiators, Michael has regularly shared his joy at appearing in the once incredibly popular TV show, with the star even telling Loaded magazine in 2008 he wanted to "come back and be a Gladiator again".He later appeared in a one-off show called Gladiators: The Legends Return in 2008, but he returned to New Zealand and continued with his own work.Nowadays, some fans might not recognise the Wolf star, particularly with his major transformation in the decades that followed his TV stint.While some fans will remember Wolf for his striking curls, Michael now sports a completely shaven head and is regularly seen in casual attire - a far cry from his famous Gladiators' uniform from the '90s.One thing that hasn't changed though is his love and passion for the gym and working out.As fans will remember, the Gladiators stars were incredibly fit during the heyday, and that's one thing that Michael hasn't let falter.When he left the UK the star decided to open up a chain of gyms in New

GLADIATORS' Wolf was the long-haired baddie of the hit show, which the BBC recently revealed is about to return. Famous for his ruthless nature and bone-chilling stare, the character made a star of Michael Van Wijk. The bodybuilder - who, unlike Wolf, was famously nice in real life - was one of the most recognisable members of the cast.

Gladiators star Wolf admitted that he once made host Ulrika Jonsson "storm off" the ITV show.Michael Van Wijk, 69, became known to the world as The Wolf Man after starring in all eight series of Gladiators from 1992 to 2000.Never missing an episode, the bodybuilder became known for his cheeky on set antics towards the contenders and is now recognised as one of the most iconic parts of the show. READ MORE: Gladiators' Wolf nearly missed out on show but raunchy Page 3 snap landed him spotAlso featuring in every episode was presenter Ulrika who fronted the show throughout its original run, leading to the duo developing a brilliant on screen relationship across the eight years.The presenter, 55, was the first to point out when Wolf didn't perform at his best and recalling one of these moments, the TV icon revealed in an exclusive chat with Daily Star that a brutal comment once caused her to abruptly leave.Wolf recalled: "I'd just make stuff up on the spot.

Gladiators star Michael Van Wijk has revealed that producers rejected his idea for Wolf to be bad. The 69-year-old appeared on all eight series of the hit ITV show and quickly became a fan-favourite due to his villainous antics.During the shows run from 1992 to 2000, there was no Gladiator quite like Wolf who managed to get the crowd going the minute he set foot into the arena.READ MORE: Gladiators' Wolf nearly missed out on show but raunchy Page 3 snap landed him spotIn an exclusive chat with Daily Star, the gym owner revealed that he pitched the 'Big Bad Wolf' idea to producers and explained that it stemmed from him wanting to stand out from other Gladiators.He said: "When we got to the shows I looked around I thought 'Wow, look all these fit strong, fantastic looking people, how can I stand out to this crowd?' Especially because I was also the oldest and everyone else looked so good."So I said to the producers when we were doing the first series, 'Can I be bad?' And they said, 'No' because everyone has to have this squeaky clean image and this is Gladiators," he continued."I said, 'But the name is Wolf.

Gladiators ran for eight seasons and became a staple in households every Saturday night. Running from 1992 to 2000, the hit ITV show saw super-fit contenders take on the ultimate challenge as they went up against the Gladiators in several gruelling events.

Gladiators star Wolf revealed he almost missed out on the hit ITV show after missing the application deadline. 69-year-old Michael Van Wijk made a name for himself starring as The Wolf Man throughout the show's eight series and arguably became the most iconic gladiator of them all.

Gladiators Wolf star has revealed he wants to return in the show's reboot.It was confirmed last month that the hit series, which ran from 1992 to 2000, will be returning to screens 22 years after its original end and has been picked up by the BBC.69-year-old Michael Van Wijk made a name for himself after starring as Wolf throughout the show's eight seasons and became the only gladiator not to miss an episode.READ MORE: Gladiators legend Lightning still bodybuilding aged 50 alongside her Mr Universe husbandNow, the bodybuilder, who has lived in New Zealand for the past 16 years, has confirmed he would like to return and would happily do so in the iconic role he played for eight years.In an exclusive chat with Daily Star, the TV icon explained that his age could be a reason why he wouldn't be allowed to compete as a gladiator, but assured he could complete the gruelling events "blindfolded.""I would return. I could do it blindfolded.

Gladiators star Wolf made his first foray into football, who would have thought he would have started out for Gillingham reserves at the age of 42. But in October 1994, that is exactly what happened in what must have felt like a fever dream for the average Priestfield attendee.

ICONIC telly hit Gladiators is being lined up for a major comeback by the BBC. The show was a Saturday night titan for most of the 1990s - with super-fit members of the public battling a team of 'Gladiators'.

Gladiators star Wolf proved his son is a chip off the old block as the hunky younger version of his dad admitted he wouldn't rule out becoming a Gladiator himself.Talking exclusively to the Daily Star Online Wolf - real name Michael Van Wijk - was discussing how he met his wife when he decided to introduce fans to his lookalike offspring.He said: "When I met my partner she was 23 and I was 39, We met in the gym.

Gladiators star Wolf was let off a speeding ticket when the police officer who pulled him over turned out to be a fan.The lucky escape came when Wolf - real name Michael Van Wijk - was driving over the speed limit in New Zealand and got spotted by a police car who proceeded to follow him with their blue lights on.Wolf, 69, pulled over and was approached by the Police Officer - who was ready to give him a ticket for doing 48mph in a 40mph zone.However, the officer in question turned out to be English - and a huge fan of the Gladiators.Talking exclusively to Daily Star Online he recalled: "One time... I shouldn't say this in case there is any police watching but it's quite funny.