The first two new Gladiators of the rebooted series have been revealed.
Originally broadcast on ITV from 1992 to 2000, the iconic show is making an epic return to screens after 23 years, with the new series being shown on the BBC.
And ahead of his big return, Fury and Steel have been announced as the first two “supermen” to join the lineup as they prepare to take on the brave contestants.
Exeter Chiefs professional rugby player Jodie Ounsley has joined the line-up as her alter ego ‘Fury’, named after her strength and passion for competition.
And Jodie certainly has the credentials to follow in the footsteps of the mighty Gladiators, as she’s a former England Women’s Rugby Seven’s player, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu British champion and a five-time coal-carrying world champion.
Gladiators ready! The first two new Gladiators of the rebooted series have been revealed
OGs: The iconic show, originally broadcast on ITV from 1992 to 2000, makes an epic return to screens after 23 years, with the new series shown on BBC (The original Gladiators in 1994)
While Jodie, who is profoundly deaf and wears a cochlear implant, won the Deaf Sports Personality of the Year title in 2020.
Meanwhile, the sportswoman has Gladiators in her blood, as her father was a contender on the show in 2008, and she’s been training to surpass him ever since.
Jodie is a long time fan of Gladiators, she even dressed up as a Gladiator and practiced the games in her living room!
Fury shared her excitement about joining the show, saying, “Watching Gladiators grow up I was always in awe of their strength and might and now I’m one!”
“I hope contenders are ready to feel the Fury!”
Meanwhile, Jodie’s Fury joins British CrossFit star Zack George to intimidate the participants as his alter ego Steel.
Like Jodie, Zack is quite a tough cookie, winning the UK’s Fittest Man title in 2020 and also ranking number 26 out of a whopping 126,461 on the global CrossFit leaderboard!
No wonder, then, that his unbreakable strength has earned him the name ‘Steel’.
She’s done! Exeter Chiefs professional rugby player Jodie Ounsley has joined the line-up as her alter ego ‘Fury’, named after her strength and passion for competition
Feel the power: Meanwhile, British CrossFit star Zack George joins Jodie’s Fury, who will intimidate the participants as his alter ego Steel
After embarking on his own personal fitness journey as a teenager, Zack was motivated to help people with their fitness next.
And as Steel, he hopes to inspire a new, young generation of fans to get into fitness too.
Talking about becoming one of the new generation of gladiators, Steel said:I was inspired by the Gladiators as a child, but never thought I would be physically fit enough to be considered a ‘superman’!
“I hope a new generation of fans look up to me as their new strong, unbreakable hero, Steel.”
With Fury and Steel primed and ready to show what they’ve got, the contenders better watch out!
The two new Gladiators come after the reboot show’s hosts are revealed.
Bradley and Barney Walsh present the BBC show, their latest television project together after The Larkins and the travel show Bradley & Barney Walsh: Breaking Dad.
New series: The hosts of a Gladiators reboot have been announced (Photo: The Gladiators in the original series with original hosts Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu)
They are taking over the series after it was originally presented by Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu on ITV from 1992-2000.
The new series includes some of the classic challenges, including Duel, Hang Tough, and The Eliminator, as well as some surprising new tasks.
Gladiators was always an important show for the Walshes, as Donna, Bradley’s wife and Barney’s mother, choreographed the cheerleading squad.
Chase host Bradley even appeared on a celebs vs jockeys Gladiators special in 1997.
The father and son regularly visited the original set and a young Barney took some of his first steps on the arena floor.
Reboot: The new series features some of the classic challenges, including Duel, Hang Tough, and The Eliminator, as well as some surprising new tasks (Photo: Wolf in the Original Series)
Bradley said, “Wow! I can’t believe I’ve been asked to be a part of this iconic show. I used to sit backstage, or in the audience, every week watching my wife be part of this juggernaut and now I get to co-host a new version of Gladiators!!!
“Saturday night family entertainment at its best…Are you ready?!”
Barney said: ‘Gladiators have been a big part of our family and it is an honor to be asked to co-host this iconic show.
“I’m so excited for everyone to see the spectacle, the elite athletes and the fantastic family entertainment that is Gladiators.”
The show’s new logo for the 11-part series retains the same elements as the original, with a metal G in the shape of a triangle behind the title.
But with a more eye-catching color, the new image has a red and blue outline and metallic shimmer colors.
The BBC has revealed filming will take place in and around the spring school holidays at the Utilita Arena, Sheffield, but has not yet announced a date.
Dan Baldwin, the general manager of production company Hungry Bear explains: ‘Seeing Gladiators LIVE in the arena is the perfect day out for all the family.
“Getting close to the action is going to be an incredible experience like no other.
“Plus, we’re making the tickets free, so it won’t cost you a dime to get in!”
The original Gladiators aired on ITV from 1992-2000 and was an adaptation of American Gladiators releasedsyndicated between 1989 and 1996.
American Gladiators was created by Johnny C. Ferraro and Dan Carr and developed by Johnny C. Ferraro.
Latest project: Bradley and Barney Walsh present the show which has moved from ITV to BBC, their last television appearance together (pictured together in 2022)
New and improved: The show’s new logo (left) retains the same elements as the original (right), with a metal G in the shape of a triangle behind the title