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.
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(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.
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The full range of Gladiators episodes can currently be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
