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Wales Online
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Gladiators set to return to BBC One with new series and celebrity special
Gladiators set to return to BBC One with new series and celebrity special Bradley Walsh and his son Barney will be returning to host Gladiators on BBC One as the Saturday night favourite is set to return for a brand new series as well as an exciting acelebrity special Gladiators will be returning to our screens in 2026. (Image: BBC/Hungry Bear Media Ltd ) Are you ready?! Now, imagine that in a big booming voice, because the Gladiators arena is primed for another round of thrilling battles. The ultimate test of speed and strength, Gladiators, will be making a comeback in 2026. The series will return to the BBC in the new year, and fans of the show will be excited to learn that they will also be airing a brand-new celebrity special too. Father and son presenting duo, Bradley and Barney Walsh will be returning to host the show. The Saturday Night Superheroes will be returning to the arena in Sheffield after a successful season earlier this year. The show's reboot has rapidly become a Saturday night sensation, averaging 5.3 million viewers, with nearly two fifths streaming on demand, making it the most-watched Saturday night series on BBC iPlayer and the third most-watched Entertainment series overall. Gladiators has even managed to captivate younger audiences, with 1.3 million tuning in for each episode so far, making it the most-watched title for this demographic across the entertainment market. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Fans can look forward to the return of Apollo, Athena, Bionic, Comet, Cyclone, Diamond, Dynamite, Electro, Fire, Fury, Giant, Hammer, Legend, Nitro, Phantom, Sabre, Steel, and Viper who will once again demonstrate their power, agility and audacious banter against the brave contenders before a packed arena crowd. The BBC have said that the competition is set to be fiercer than ever with new events to anticipate. We can expect 11 episodes in the new season along with a one off celebrity special which will feature four more courageous celebrities who will take on TV's toughest challenge as they enter the arena in a bid to prove their mettle and emerge triumphant. Article continues below (Image: BBC ) Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC said: "Audiences have loved getting together to watch our mighty Gladiators take on contenders from all across the UK with younger fans especially excited to cheer on their Saturday night superheroes. "With this brand-new series and another Celebrity Special confirmed there will be even more epic battles, more high-octane action and of course even more foam fingers than ever before for everyone to look forward to!". Managing director of Hungry Bear Media, Dan Baldwin added: "We have been absolutely blown away by the reception Gladiators has received from families up and down the country. It has become a HUGE part of Saturday night viewing on the BBC. "We are extremely excited to deliver another series, so expect even more spandex, hairspray, protein shakes and fake tan this summer in Sheffield!". For those looking to experience the excitement live, free tickets for the recordings of all shows will be obtainable from the Applause Store website starting 24 June 2025. You can find more information here. Article continues below The full range of Gladiators episodes can currently be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gladiators contestant 'devastated' as injury forces them to withdraw from final
A contestant has been forced to withdraw from the Gladiators grand final after sustaining a leg injury during the second semi-final. Zavia Hill, a personal trainer from Manchester, was hit during one of the games on the BBC show's semi-final, and at first it seemed like she would continue. She was treated by a physiotherapist backstage and made it to The Eliminator, taking home the win. But Zavia has now been forced to withdraw from next Saturday's (April 12) grand final. Her place will be taken by the fastest female runner-up from the semi-finals, Aneila Afsar, a supply teacher also from Manchester. Aneila Afsar will replace Zavia Hill in the 2025 Gladiators grand final. (Image: BBC/David MacCormack/Hungry Bear Media Ltd/PA Wire) Zavia said: 'Reaching the final felt special, I usually give up when I feel like I've failed. 'After injuring my leg in the Gauntlet, I convinced myself I was out. But at the start of the Eliminator, I thought, not this time. Give it your all, girl.' She also said that during the Gauntlet game, where Gladiators try to prevent contenders passing with the aide of power-pads, she 'knew my time on the show was probably over, I was devastated'. 'I got very emotional after I realised I'd hurt my leg as bad as I did,' Zavia added. 'When I got home and the adrenaline had worn off, I realised I could hardly move my leg but on the plus side, I got to watch the final from the front row and cheer both of my friends on.' Aneila said reaching the final was 'bittersweet' adding: 'Anyone who's been following the show knows how badly I wanted to make it to the final, but this isn't the way I wanted to get there. "At the same time, I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity and so excited for what's ahead.' She also called Zavia 'an incredible contender and an even better person". "It's an honour to represent her and I'll actually be wearing some of her gems in the final," she added. She continued: 'Winning Gladiators would be amazing. I'm a competitive person and a former pro-athlete so I'm always in it to win it. 'But honestly, just getting here is huge. I've already broken so many barriers as the first Muslim woman on the show, and now being in the final is incredible. 'I know that my presence alone will have a positive impact on Muslim women, and that means everything to me.' She will face Warrington gym owner Amanda Wah on the women's side of the draw in the Gladiators grand final. While Scarborough-born gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn and east London youth worker Mus Dumbuya will go head-to-head in the men's final. Army officer Finlay Anderson and personal trainer Marie-Louise Nicholson were crowned Gladiators Champions in 2024. RECOMMENDED READING: Gladiators star makes shock announcement as he's ruled out of series with injury 'Gutted' Gladiators fans say 'series ruined' as star forced to pull out of show How to apply for Gladiators as BBC hunts for 'bravest' contenders for series 3 Hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh as well as the Gladiators will return for the series two final on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next Saturday (April 12). Gladiators: Grand Final will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next Saturday (April 12) at 5.50pm.
