The legendary game show Gladiators is making a smashing return to the BBC for a second season this weekend.
Get ready for the action as the rebooted series kicks off with its first episode airing tonight (January 18) at 5:50pm on BBC One, featuring the dynamic father-son duo, Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh, as hosts.
Amidst much anticipation, two new Gladiators will be making their debut. This season, viewers can also look forward to two newly introduced events – tried and tested favourite, Atlasphere, which featured in the original series, and another brand-new challenge called Unleash.
As we gear up for the new series, here’s the low-down on the Gladiators season two line-up…
Cyclone (Lystus Ebosele)
The first new Gladiator is 23-year-old Cyclone, who is an Irish Powerlifter. She considers herself the ultimate all-round athlete.
“I’ve got the look, I’ve got the energy and I’ve got the muscles,” Cyclone said in a statement.
Hammer (Tom Wilson)
Cyclone is joined by World Rowing Champion Hammer, who is 32 years old. At 6ft 5 inches tall, Hammer believes that his height, strength and speed set him apart from everyone else.
“When you’ve got 19 stone sprinting at you, you’ve got no chance. I’m getting you,” he shared in a statement.
Bionic (Matty Campbell)
Meet Bionic, the 29-year-old former footballer whose career trajectory changed following a car accident, leading him towards bodybuilding, reports the Mirror.
“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,” Bionic has expressed previously.
Electro (Jade Packer)
Then there’s Electro, the multi-talented 26-year-old who excels in bodybuilding, doubles as a sports model and fitness coach, and is also a hybrid athlete.
At just 12, Electro secured a spot as one of the top 10 fastest runners in the UK.
Phantom (Toby Olubi)
Next up is Phantom, the mighty 37-year-old who represented Team GB in bobsleigh at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Phantom boasts being the speediest bobsledder in the UK push championships for a remarkable four consecutive years, alongside his prowess in sprinting.
Viper (Quang Luong)
Next up is Viper (Quang Luong), who is ready to strike on the Gladiator battleground.
The notorious antagonist of the show boasts a 15-year background in bodybuilding and also engages in regular boxing and modelling gigs. His filmography includes multiple movie roles.
He once declared: “I was born a Gladiator. I am strong, powerful and just like a Viper, I can attack with speed.”
Comet (Ella-Mae Rayner)
Comet, whose real name is Ella-Mae Rayner, is 29 years old and has an impressive history as an elite gymnast and semi-professional diver, training six days a week. She holds a degree in sports science.
She’s been a lifelong admirer of the original 90s series, having once shared that Jet was “one of the reasons I became a gymnast”.
Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains)
Athena, or Karenjeet Kaur Bains, at 28, is a celebrated powerlifting champion with numerous accolades to her name, including a Guinness World Record for the most bodyweight squats completed in one minute.
Beyond her athletic pursuits, Athena is also a qualified chartered accountant.
Sabre (Sheli McCoy)
Sabre, played by Sheli McCoy, aged 36, dedicates an astounding 16-19 hours weekly to training, which has seen her compete in various British weightlifting championships.
She has expressed her desire for her character to “inspire” and “empower” young people to chase their aspirations.
Apollo (Alex Gray)
Apollo, portrayed by 33-year-old Alex Gray, comes from a robust sporting background in rugby and NFL and is recognised for his fierce competitive spirit.
He once stated: “After playing rugby and in the NFL, the opportunity to inspire as Apollo is a dream come ‘true’.”
Dynamite (Emily Steel)
Dynamite, known off-screen as Emily Steel, brings her own unique strengths to the show.
At just 21 years old, swimmer and CrossFit athlete Dynamite is the youngest Gladiator. Despite not remembering the original series, she was eager to participate for her parents who were big fans.
She once said: “Dynamite really does represent who I am, and I’m excited to showcase what I can do in the games.”
Diamond (Livi Sheldon)
Diamond, whose real name is Livi Sheldon, is a 30-year-old champion bodybuilder standing at 6ft tall.
She previously shared: “When I was growing up, I used to get picked on for being taller than everyone else. 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)
Fury, a 23-year-old professional rugby player for the Exeter Chiefs, has an impressive sporting background. She’s a former England women’s rugby sevens player, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu British champion, and a five-time world coal carrying champion.
In 2020, Fury, who wears a cochlear implant, was named deaf sports personality of the year.
Steel (Zack George)
34-year-old Steel, also known as Zack George, was crowned the UK’s Fittest Man in 2020 and has consistently ranked high on the global CrossFit leaderboard.
Reflecting on his participation in the show, Steel said: “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)
Giant, played by Jamie Christian Johal, is another member of the Gladiator team.
At 6ft 5 inches tall, the aptly named Giant, a 39-year-old former firefighter, is one of the world’s tallest bodybuilders.
“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 previously expressed in a statement.
Fire (Montell Douglas)
Fire, otherwise known as Montell Douglas, is a 38-year-old former sprinter and bobsledder. She made history in 2022 by becoming the first female athlete to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
After finishing in sixth place with professional dancer Johannes Radebe on last year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing, she’s back in the arena.
Legend (Matt Morsia)
Matt Morsia, also known as Legend, is a 38-year-old former international athlete and bodybuilder.
He’s an award-winning triple jumper and powerlifter, a social media influencer, and the author of a Sunday Times bestselling book about training.
Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey)
Sadly, Nitro, a 36-year-old former Team GB sprinter and world gold medallist, won’t be able to compete in the upcoming series due to an injury sustained during training. However, he will be present on the sidelines to support his colleagues.
“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,” he shared on Instagram last month.
Gladiators season two premieres at 5:50pm tonight (January 18) on BBC One, with new episodes airing weekly.