A flamboyant gay wrestler known as ‘Barbie Gladiator’ has spoken out as she hopes to become one of the stars of the upcoming Gladiators reboot.
The show that was famous for featuring fierce fighters Wolf, Hunter and Rhino in the ’90s could reportedly feature 28-year-old Cassius Paule, who weighs just 10.7lbs, after BBC bosses picked him .
It is stated that the producers believe that Cassius could help bring the show into the present day, as they want to include more diverse contestants.
An excited Cassius said Sun: ‘It would be huge. The original was decades ago. A lot has changed since then, and of course not all Gladiators are going to be straight these days.
“In 2023, if someone from the LGBT+ community could be there, that would be great, and even better if it was me.” He would be the modern Gladiator.
New wrestling star: A flamboyant gay wrestler known as ‘Barbie Gladiator’ has spoken out as she hopes to become one of the stars of the upcoming Gladiators reboot.
Cassius studied television production in college but gave up a career in the industry and took up wrestling 10 years ago.
He secretly joined a wrestling school as a teenager and only told his family about his sport when he turned professional.
The wrestler now competes across the UK in a brightly colored pink outfit under the name ‘Barbie Gladiator’.
Cassius explains how he was approached on social media after a producer saw his wrestling photos on Instagram.
He said: ‘I intend to be 1,000 per cent as flamboyant on the show as I am in wrestling.
‘I wouldn’t know what else to bring, that’s me. They would love that.
She insists that she will continue to wear pink and purple on the show and accessorize her outfits with tassels.
Gladiators will return to the screens this year after more than 20 years, it was confirmed in August last year.
Fight Talk: The show that was famous for featuring ferocious wrestlers Wolf, Hunter, and Rhino in the ’90s might feature 28-year-old Cassius Paule, who weighs just 10 pounds.
Positive change: It is stated that the producers believe that Cassius could help bring the show to the present day, as they want to include more diverse contestants.
The popular ’90s TV show saw members of the public battle against the show’s cast of bodybuilders and gymnasts, known as the Gladiators, and ran for eight series before ending in 2000.
The BBC has confirmed that the show will return with an 11-episode series and will welcome a new generation of ‘superhumans’ who will compete against contestants in the ‘ultimate test of speed and strength’.
Originally hosted by Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu, the show will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, featuring a host of new games alongside classic challenges longtime fans will know and love.
Each show will end with the ultimate fan-favorite challenge: the intense obstacle course known as The Eliminator.
The rebooted show will film at Utilita Arena Sheffield in 2023, while new hosts have yet to be announced.
At its peak, Gladiators, broadcast from 1992 to 2000, drew huge audiences to its ITV slot on Saturday nights with the famous ‘Contenders Ready? Gladiators ready? echoed on television screens.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s director of unscripted programmes, said of the reboot: “Gladiators is back and a new generation of viewers can now look forward to seeing a Saturday night show like no other.”
‘Will the contenders have the will and skill to triumph against our powerful new gladiators? You’ll have to tune in to find out.
Spectators, are you READY? The popular television show of the 90s, Gladiators, will return to the screens this year after more than 20 years, it has been confirmed.
The new series will be made by Hungry Bear Media and MGM Television UK, with Scot Cru, Executive Vice President of Global Formats and Unscripted Content at MGM Television, adding: ‘Gladiators is a format that resonates with viewers around the world.
“We are delighted to bring this revered series to the BBC and can’t wait to introduce our UK Gladiators.”
Dan Baldwin, Hungry Bear’s managing director, said of the show’s big return, “It’s the perfect time for Gladiators to return.”
‘What other show combines electric thrills, superheroes, giant sponge fingers, elite athletes, and a dash of pantomime?
“Watch out for the new breed of oversized, superhuman superstars bursting onto your screens on BBC One and iPlayer.”
The classic show, originally broadcast on ITV, made household names out of the Gladiators, including Jet, Lightening, Wolf, Nightshade, Hunter and Warrior.
It’s back! The show saw members of the public battle against the show’s cast of bodybuilders and gymnasts, known as the Gladiators and ran for eight series before ending in 2000.
The format, which originated in the US, traveled to Australia, South Africa, Russia, Finland, Germany, Nigeria, Denmark and Sweden.
The series was watched by more than 14 million viewers and gruff referee John Anderson, known for his catchphrase ‘Contenders Ready? Gladiators ready? – was on hand to keep gladiators and contestants at bay.
But the show was dropped in 1999 after it lost more than half its viewers in subsequent series, falling to six million.
The show has seen many spin-offs and was briefly revived by Sky One in 2009, but it only lasted for two series.
Yeah! The BBC revealed that the show will return with an 11-episode series and welcome a new generation of ‘superhumans’ (pictured: original cast in 1992)