Gladiators bosses have revealed they have super-sized the cast for the second series – after the reboot enjoyed great success.
The return of the iconic ’90s game show in January was the biggest entertainment launch in seven years, attracting 10 million viewers for the first episode.
And to celebrate, BBC bosses have added two more Gladiators to the line-up, bringing the team to an impressive 18.
The two new Gladiators will join the original team, which includes Athena, Bionic, Giant, Dynamite, Comet, Viper, Electro, Apollo and Steel Sabre, Legend, Diamond, Phantom and Strictly star Fire (Montell Douglas).
However, Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey) will have to sit out this next series due to a knee injury, instead sitting ringside with host Bradley and Barney Walsh as presenter.
Confirmation of the cast addition, a source said The sun: “Executives knew they had to raise the bar for the new series, which will air in the new year.
Gladiators bosses have revealed they’ve supersized the cast for the second series – after the reboot was a huge success
The return of the iconic ’90s game show in January was the biggest entertainment launch in seven years, attracting 10 million viewers for the first episode
‘The two new Gladiators took part in the filming in the summer, but the audience at the Sheffield Arena was sworn to secrecy.
“Everyone is excited to introduce the two newcomers to viewers in the new year.”
Its arrival on the prime time Saturday evening schedule proved a ratings winner for the BBC, with 28-day viewing figures showing that 9.8 million people tuned in to the first episode.
The high share of viewers made it the most successful launch of an entertainment show on the BBC in seven years, with an average of 8.3 million viewers across the entire eleven episodes.
Its success means Gladiators will return with a second series expected to feature at least one celebrity-led version of the show in 2025, which is usually contested by members of the public.
“I can reveal that we are going to do a celebrity special,” executive producer and director of Hungry Bear Media Dan Baldwin, husband of TV presenter Holly Willoughby, told Radio 4.
‘You always watch old programs that are no longer on television. You’re always coming up with new ways to bring back a show.’
He added: “It’s no exaggeration to say that the response to Gladiators has been phenomenal. The episodes are packed with nail-biting drama, exciting action and enormous emotions.
The two new Gladiators will join the original team including Athena, Bionic, Giant, Dynamite, Comet, Viper, Electro, Apollo and Steel Sabre, Legend, Diamond, Phantom and Strictly star Fire (Montell Douglas)
However, Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey) will have to sit out this next series due to a knee injury, instead sitting ringside with hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh as emcees.
‘In Series 2 the show goes from strength to strength. We have some great surprises in store for the fans. Are you ready?!?’
Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, said: ‘Gladiators has really started this year with a bang, and we’re so pleased that fans have flocked to the show.
‘It was great to hear how much families enjoyed watching this together as part of the BBC’s Saturday evening entertainment offering. We can’t wait for more action from the Gladiators.”
Elsewhere, Dom Bird, SVP of Gladiators production company MGM Alternative, International, said: ‘It was incredible to see Gladiators reignite the excitement this show always generated in Britain on Saturday evenings.
‘We’re delighted that a second series has been confirmed for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and we can’t wait to get back into the arena with our partners at Hungry Bear Media and the BBC.’
Many had predicted that a second series of Gladiators was on the way after it eclipsed the ratings of other shows including Dancing On Ice and The Masked Singer in January.
The popular game show originally aired on ITV from 1992 to 2000, before returning for a single series on Sky One in 2008.
Earlier this year it was reported that Gemma Atkinson was in talks to appear in a celebrity version of the show.
Earlier this year it was reported that Gemma Atkinson was in talks to appear in a celebrity version of the show
The physically challenging game show was revived by the broadcasting giant in January, 32 years after its original ITV launch and 16 years after Sky One scrapped an earlier revival.
After it proved to be a success, it was confirmed that a celebrity version of the program was in the works.
A source told the Mirror: ‘Gemma heard that a celebrity special was being planned and told her agent she would like to be involved.
‘Gladiators was Gemma’s favorite show as a child, and because she is now so into fitness, it would be her dream gig. Discussions are underway – the show team is pleased she is so enthusiastic.”
Gladiators returns to the BBC with a celebrity spin-off after the rebooted show became a ratings hit.