gladiators: Last News

HOLLY Willoughby has been tipped to present the reboot of Gladiators when it returns next year. It's been confirmed that the sports game show will launch on the BBC in 2023 and is being produced by Holly's husband Dan Baldwin and his Hungry Bear production company.

Gladiators’ original stars, and iconic referee John Anderson, have been spotted living decidedly regular lives after the hit programme’s return was confirmed by the BBC.The sports-based game show first aired from 1992 to 2000, before being briefly revived in 2008. On Wednesday, the BBC delighted fans by at last confirming that rumours of another comeback are true and now, the terrifyingly fit warriors who went up against the public 20 years ago have proven that nowadays, they’re more like the rest of us. While the stars are undoubtedly still fit and enjoy hitting the gym, their low-key lives are a far cry from the drama of the arena.

TV classic Gladiators has been revived by the BBC for a new generation of superhumans to battle it out in tests of strength and speed. This 90s show featured members of the public competing with elite athletes.

Gladiators star Lightning has opened up about keeping her G-string in place in a racy BBC Breakfast chat.The superhuman, whose real name is Kim Betts, appeared on Friday's episode (August 26) of the BBC programme alongside her former co-star Sharron 'Amazon' Davies.While discussing the forthcoming Gladiators revival with hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt, the pair also revealed old tricks from their time on the show.READ MORE: Original Gladiators unrecognisable as they're seen out and about as new show announcedIn one discussion, both Gladiators confessed their "favourite piece of equipment" was referred to on the show as a "bum stick".Sharron explained that the stick was used to glue their outfits in place, with Lightning star Kim, 49, later adding that the valued prop prevented her costume from leaving her with "a G-string" in a raunchy confession.Sharron said: "My favourite piece of equipment was the bum stick."This actually stuck your outfit to your backside because otherwise, it was going anywhere."It was basically glue so that your outfit - which was very tiny at the best of times - stayed where you left it."Lightning star Kim added: "It's a little tub that looks like roll-on deodorant, so you'd literally stick your costume wherever you wanted because obviously, you're moving around and throwing yourself [around]."You would have ended up in a G-string and things hanging out everywhere."So, it was vital that we did keep ourselves covered."For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here. Gladiators will return to screens in 2023 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.Presented by Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu, the iconic series originally aired on ITV in 1992 and

Gladiators star Lightning has floored BBC Breakfast viewers with her 'ageless' appearance.The TV legend, 49 – whose real name is Kim Betts – appeared on the programme on Friday (August 26).While speaking to hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt about the forthcoming Gladiators revival series alongside her former co-star Sharron 'Amazon' Davies, fans of the show quickly flocked to Twitter to share their admiration for the "hot" star.READ MORE:Original Gladiators unrecognisable as they're seen out and about as new show announcedOne fan wrote: "Wow! After all this time Lightning from Gladiators still looks great."Another said: "Gladiators is on its way back. Cannot believe I still think Lightning is hot."Meanwhile, a third fan commented: "Lightning from Gladiators is on @BBCBreakfast.

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.

The stars of the popular Saturday night show Gladiators have been spotted around the UK as the programme prepares to return to screens in 2023.The much-loved series will be back with an 11-episodes and will welcome a brand new generation of superhumans who will compete against ordinary contestants in the ultimate test of speed, strength and agility.The format for the news series will include brand new games alongside classic challenges and will be finished off by fan favourite The Eliminator.But as the new series, Daily Star has taken a look at some of the original stars of the show as they've been spotted living relatively normal lives.Referee John Anderson appeared to have swapped Wolf for a friendlier furry pal as he enjoyed a stroll in Leicestershire with his dog.Anderson, who is now 90-years-old, was renowned for keeping the Gladiators in check in a no-nonsense fashion and uttered the words Contender Ready...

READ MORE: BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay branded 'boring' as he's compared to 'someone's brother'Revealing her new look to fans, Charlie couldn't help but laugh at Naga's antics as her expression was a picture of innocence."Don't explain!" he chuckled, as he quizzed her: "What's this?""This is Kim Bett," Naga explained. "Known as Lightning, of course, we've got Sharron Davies known as Amazon."Kim told Naga: "That looks awesome by the way, you look totally ready."She went on to explain that Naga's costume was the original from the show, telling the hosts: "That is the one I wore on Gauntlet on every filming.

It's been confirmed that Gladiators will make its long-awaited return to the BBC next year. The popular show is set to return with an 11-episode series and will be welcoming a new generation of "superhumans" who will compete against contestants in the "ultimate test of speed and strength", the BBC said.

BBC have confirmed that the popular programme Gladiators will be returning to screens next year.With a new generation of "superhumans" lined-up already to take on competitors across the country, we can already feel that this will not be a series that fans will want to miss.The programme has been revamped and taken over by BBC One and will be available to watch next year on iPlayer as contestants battle it out in the "ultimate test of speed and strength".READ MORE: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham after deciding to make a documentaryGladiators had originally run from 1992 for an eight-year period – drawing in huge success from audiences across the globe.Host Ulrika Jonsson and Gladiators Jet, Nightshade, Hunter, Wolf and Lightning shot to fame, with all becoming popular household names.In 2008 the programme did return to Sky for one year with Kirsty Gallacher and Ian Wright taking to the hosting helm, taking over from the Swedish TV star Ulrika and her co-star John Fashanu.The BBC is keeping tight-lipped over who will be taking part in the 11-episode series that is due to launch next year, but filming has been confirmed for Utilita Arena in Sheffield.BBC director Kate Phillips 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."Scot Cru, executive vice president of global formats and Unscripted Content for MGM Television, saying: "Gladiators is a format that resonates with viewers worldwide."We are thrilled to bring this revered series to the BBC and can’t wait to introduce our UK

BBC are set to bring back the classic game show Gladiators next year. The popular game show originally aired on ITV between 1992 and 2000 and drew huge audiences in every Saturday evening.

Popular TV show Gladiators is returning to the BBC next year, it has been announced.The programme will return with an 11-episode series and will be welcoming a new generation of “superhumans” who will compete against contestants in the “ultimate test of speed and strength”, the BBC said.The series, which will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, will include new games alongside classic challenges – with each episode ending with fan favourite, gruelling obstacle course The Eliminator. At its peak, Gladiators – broadcast from 1992 to 2000 – drew huge audiences to its Saturday evening ITV slot as the famous call of “Contenders Ready? Gladiators Ready?” echoed across TV screens.

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 star Jet has offered up praise to her former co-star Lightning as the stunner tried on old iconic outfits from her time on the show.Jet, real name Diane Youldae, took to Twitter to repost a tweet from the Gladiators page that show Lightning babe Kim Betts trying on her old leotards and sexy suits from 30 years ago.The bodybuilder, 50, was the longest-serving female Gladiator on the beloved ITV show.READ MORE: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham after deciding to make a documentaryKim donned several skin tight leotards and crop tops from her days on the show and they all still fit like a glove.“Beautiful and still lightening up the skies!! Jet gushed to her followers.Kim admitted in the clip that it was like trying on a wedding dress years later.Sharing a video on Instagram on Tuesday, Lightning said: 'I've been asked to go on This Morning and they've asked for some costumes. I'm going to try them on.

Gladiators' Saracen appeared on all eight series of the hit ITV show – but also had another surprising career at the same time.Michael Lewis – better known as the one and only Saracen – became a Gladiator in 1992 and was one of the few who starred in every series until it ended in 2000.But despite the gruelling challenges and demanding role of a gladiator, the 58-year-old was able to continue his job as a firefighter which he landed seven years prior to the show.READ MORE: Gladiators' Wolf, 69, 'would return' to show as he could complete events 'blindfolded'In an exclusive chat with Daily Star, the TV icon revealed that despite the show's hectic filming schedule, he was still able to do both jobs.He explained: "I was a bodybuilder but I joined the fire service in 1985 and retired in 2015."Saracen continued: "So I did that the whole way through and it was lucky because with the way we filmed the show, we were filming two shows back to back and sometimes three in one day, so it meant because it was all so close together, I was able to do Gladiators but also keep my job in the fire service as well."It was a lot of work and long hours.

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 Saracen revealed he auditioned for the hit ITV show alongside his then-girlfriend Chrissie Mullings - but unfortunately she wasn't chosen for the role.Michael Lewis - better known to the world as the one and only Saracen, became a Gladiator in 1992 after he auditioned and successfully passed a round of gruelling fitness tests.The now 58-year-old was one of the few Gladiators who starred in every season until the show ended in 2000. READ MORE: Gladiators star Wolf once suffered injury in reserve game for League Two sideAlong the way he picked up the nickname, 'The King of Hang Tough' while also cementing himself as one of the most iconic and beloved members of the series.In an exclusive chat with Daily Star, the former bodybuilder revealed his then-girlfriend auditioned with him, but later found herself on the show in a different way.He explained: "Yeah we auditioned together and I got it but she didn't.

READ MORE: Carol Vorderman spills gym secrets after dropping a dress sizeOn the show, the Blythe-born athlete was often seen bossing the more physical events such as Gauntlet, Atlaspheres, Joust and Whiplash due to her bodybuilding background.However, many may remember that she was involved in one of the most horrifying accidents in the history of the show.While competing in the Tilt, Panther fell head first and sustained serious neck and back injuries which took five months to recover from. To everyone's shock, she returned to the show for its fifth series before quitting for good in 1996.Speaking of her experience on the show, she has previously said: “It was great, it inspired so many people into sport, to be able to be strong and feminine at the same time.

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.

Gladiators legend Jet wants to make a comeback to the show - as a presenter.She is thrilled the BBC is planning to revive the classic 1990s sports game series.The athlete - real name Diane Youdale - was one of the original Gladiators who went up against the contenders on the action packed hit.READ NEXT: Ulrika Jonsson, 55, goes topless in racy birthday snaps as she brands herself 'filthy'She gained a legion of fans thanks to her gymnastic skills and dominance of the ring game Hang Tough.Now Jet has begged BBC chiefs to sign her up for the reboot.But as she is 52 years old, she wants a new role and would love to be considered as a pundit.She thinks her past experience on the show would be a huge help working alongside the new host who is tipped to be Holly Willoughby, Alex Scott or Gaby Logan.Jet - who left Gladiators in 1996 after sustaining a serious neck injury - said: “I have a huge presenting and broadcast background so I do have some credibility in that arena.“But my credibility really does lie in having been there and having done the show. I think sometimes you get a line-up of not just two presenters who actually anchor the show but a third presenter who is kind of an additional pundit.“What is it really like to be doing that event? What was that tactic like? Did she do it correctly? What was that contender really doing? Was the balance right in terms of them being pitted against each other?“There are so many things that go on in combat in that moment that you don’t think about about when you’re an anchor on the show because you’re thinking about how much longer have I got on this interview, you’re listening to the guys in the box.“I think it would be really nice to do it slightly differently.

This Morning - but did you know about her past as a star of Gladiators? Gladiators was staple TV viewing in the nineties, giving the world iconic catchphrases including: "Gladiators... ready!"When it was rebooted in 2009 on Sky, the series needed a new generation of Gladiators – and Dr Zoe Williams was one of them.READ NEXT: 90s game show hosts now - tragic deaths, Gladiators fling and First Dates romanceDr Zoe originally applied to be a contestant on the show, but bosses liked her so much that they offered her a role as a Gladiator.The star worked on the series under the name of Amazon, with Gladiators describing her as "regal and Amazonian, nature's powerful force runs through her veins".During her time on the series, she also became known as the "Green Gladiator" due to her passion for making environmentally friendly choices – with the star later becoming Sky's Green Campaign Ambassador.Speaking about her time on Gladiators to GP Online, Dr Zoe said: "As a child growing up in the 1990s, I watched the original Gladiators, so getting the opportunity to become one was incredible."It turns out that hitting people with giant cotton buds really is as much fun as it looks."She also revealed that her passion for health and fitness was inspired by the series, adding: "Spending those months surrounded by the team of Gladiators, getting to know them and their stories, taught me how much of a profound impact physical activity can have on an individual’s life.