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Future of Gladiators confirmed ahead of BBC reboot’s finale this weekend
Fans have loved the reboot of the nineties classic and now the BBC have confirmed its future
GLADIATORS will be back for a second series, BBC chief Tim Davie confirmed yesterday.
The revival has been a runaway ratings success since launching with Bradley and Barney Walsh at the helm.
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Now the corporation’s director-general has included the beloved challenge show in his list of “big priorities” for the year ahead in an address to the Royal Television Society.
Davie said: “Of course, it means that we will, despite budget pressures, prioritise big national occasions – from the Coronation, Eurovision, the Proms and Glastonbury, to the Olympics and the Euros, or Strictly or Gladiators, Children in Need or even that great drama: Election Night.”
It had previously been reported the early success of Gladiators - which launched to some 6m viewers - had all but assured the second stint.
But the news is now confirmed.
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The classic show ran for eight series from 1992 to 2000 on ITV, before a short-lived revival on SkyOne with two series across 2008 and 2009.
But the launch show for the BBC's reboot in January beating the likes of Dancing On Ice and The Masked Singer, with millions more added via BBC iPlayer.
Whilst ratings have drooped as the series went on, it has become a family favourite and held its own in the time slot.
A TV source said: "The viewing figures are proof that there is still a big appetite for Gladiators after all these years."
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However, all good things must come to an end and the final of Gladiators is mere days away from hitting screens.
The BBC has confirmed that the champ will be crowned on Saturday 30 March in the programme's grand final at 5:50pm.
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The BBC are yet to confirm any details surrounding the potential prize but in past years winners have received everything from cash payouts to 4x4 cars.
The final was filmed in front of a live audience in Sheffield last year and now it won't be long for eager fans to discover who will triumph.
In the latest episode of the show, it was semi-final time as millions of viewers tuned into the primetime BBC reboot to see some of the contestants try to out-manoeuvre the fitness fanatics.
Betti and Bronte could be seen battling it out for a spot in the final as they faced off against Fire, Electro and Fury in the Powerball Challenge.
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