Saturday night’s episode of Gladiators (January 25) was fraught with tension as contestant Nikki suffered a painful injury during the fourth event, ‘The Edge’, while competing against Dynamite.
The incident occurred when Nikki was caught by the Gladiator, resulting in both tumbling into the safety net.
Nikki was visibly in distress, prompting concern from Dynamite and the commentator who noted: “There’s some concern from Dynamite, Nikki looks like she’s got herself injured.”
Upon reviewing the footage, the commentator remarked: “Well it looks like there was something in the landing, let’s hope Nikki is okay.”
The situation led host Bradley Walsh to pause the show, instructing Nikki to “just go and get checked off-camera” as she was escorted away by a medic.
As the competition resumed, Bradley sought words of encouragement from Dynamite for Nikki, to which she responded: “She smashed it”, reports the Mirror.
“She’s done absolutely amazing and no matter what happened up there and how she’s probably feeling up there right now, she’s done so well to come this far and she should be very proud of herself.”
Bradley then prompted the audience to applaud Nikki before proceeding with the next contestant, Keeva. Later in the show, an update was provided by the host: “Earlier on we saw Nikki sustain an injury on ‘The Edge’. His son and fellow host Barney added: “She’s been checked over by our brilliant medical team but unfortunately she will not be able to compete in the Eliminator.”
Nikki’s departure from the competition meant a bittersweet advancement for Keeva, who made it through to the quarter-finals.
Despite her elation, Keeva shared: “I’m absolutely devastated for Nikki, as much as I’m happy that I’m in the quarter finals, it’s tough but I’m sure she’s in good hands.”
In a surprising turn during Saturday night’s episode, the show had some significant news minutes into the broadcast. Father-and-son presenting duo, Bradley and Barney, oversaw the proceedings, with 27-year-old Barney signaling an exciting development by saying: “There’s a storm brewing over the arena!”
This led to an astonished Bradley, 64, querying: “What does that mean, what does that mean?”
Barney then revealed: “Well, tonight we’re going to be introducing a brand new Gladiator!” provoking a shocked reaction from Bradley, who exclaimed: “No!” only for Barney to affirm: “Yes!”
The latest addition to the Gladiator line-up is a 23-year-old powerlifter from Ireland named Cyclone, who prides herself on being an all-encompassing athlete. “I’ve got the look, I’ve got the energy and I’ve got the muscles,” remarked Cyclone in a statement.
Joining Cyclone is the World Rowing Champion known as Hammer, towering at 6ft 5 inches and weighing 19 stone, who at 32-years-old, is confident in his unique combination of height, strength, and speed. “When you’ve got 19 stone sprinting at you, you’ve got no chance. I’m getting you,” he declared.
Gladiators continues next Saturday at 5:50pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer