Secrets of the Gladiators auditions as Too Hot To Handle star reveals intense competition to land role on BBC reboot
A STAR from Too Hot To Handle has revealed just what it took to become a Gladiator for the BBC reboot.
The hit nineties and noughties show made a huge comeback on BBC One on Saturday night with Bradley and Barney Walsh hosting.
Fitness professional David Birtwistle, 33, who was once Britain's most eligible bachelor, tried out for the series.
He put his physical expertise to good use last year when he auditioned alongside dozens of other athletes for the honour of wearing the show's famous Lycra leotards.
Despite being super fit himself, he soon realised he was up against it when he arrived at the Lee Valley Athletic Centre for the physical testing day.
He said: "There was a whole variety of very difficult fitness tests.
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"There was even head to head wrestling in a ring with another person, and that was really intense because the person they paired me up with was this absolute giant.
"He was so big.
"Even though I'm relatively strong this guy outweighed me by like 20 or 25 kilos of muscle. He was huge.
"It was really good fun. It's really enjoyable to do that sort of thing because I like fitness and competing and stuff."
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In the end he was not one of the athletes who made it through to the show.
Although he was disappointed, he had nothing but good things to say about those who were chosen.
David continued: "I was really disappointed when I didn't get it, but I knew I was going to be a really high standard.
"It was always going to be hyper-competitive.
"They were always going to find the best of the best. They were going to find absolute specimens and they did it.
"As soon as I saw the lineup I was thinking where would I fit into this. What would my physical capabilities have been?
"These are fantastic athletes. You've got Zack George, the fittest man in the UK, this is the level they're playing at."
He added: "They're not just picking people who are fit. They're picking the best people in the country."
