Gladiators lands brand new BBC spin-off ahead of second series – and it’s not what you’d expect
THE iconic show has landed an exciting new spin-off on BBC, heating things up before the second series even kicks off.
From the producers of hit show Gladiators, BBC Children’s and Education is bringing families together to enjoy a brand-new entertainment show Gladiators: Epic Pranks.
Secret Prankster Nitro enlists the help of his teammates as they aim to pull off some epic pranks on their fellow competitors.
Will Bionic wear a bunny costume at a calendar shoot for April?
Will Viper fall for a fake influencer’s demands?
And behind the scenes at the live Gladiators shows in Sheffield, there are even pranks on unsuspecting members of the public.
more on gladiators
The Gladiators will go head-to-head in games like Rock, Paper, Scissors, and Charades.
And yes, of course they are just as competitive outside the Arena as they are in it!
The iconic sports entertainment gameshow Gladiators returned to TV on the BBC in 2023, with a of superhumans.
It gripped the nation and quickly became the biggest entertainment launch for a new series in seven years, with 28 day figures showing that 9.8m viewers watched the first episode.
The hugely successful first series was hosted by father and son duo Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh.
They saw 16 new superhuman Gladiators: Sabre, Legend, Nitro, Diamond, Phantom, Athena, Bionic, Fire, Giant, Dynamite, Viper, Electro, Apollo, Comet, Steel and Fury quickly become household names.
Viewers cheered on their favourites as they competed against Contenders in iconic events such as Duel and Powerball, culminating in the iconic Eliminator.
Taking on one of the most iconic catchphrases of the 90s, ex Premier League Football referee, Mark Clattenburg returned for the reboot.
Picking up their whistles to keep the mighty Gladiators in check were Sonia Mkoloma and Lee Phillips.
Football commentator Guy Mowbray provided the voiceover commentary on all the action for the show as the brave Contenders take on the mighty challenges and the even mightier Gladiators.
Meet the Gladiators finalists
The Gladiators final takes place on Easter Saturday at 5.30pm on BBC One.
After ten gruelling weeks facing the superhuman Gladiators, four contenders have made it through to the grand final.
The Gladiators 2024 finalists are:
Finlay Anderson - Army officer Finlay, 34, from Edinburgh has made it to the final despite being injured in the quarter-final.
Wesley Male - Even though he joined in the quarter-final stage, part-time Leeds wrestler Wesley, 35, has proved a force to be reckoned with on the Gladiators gauntlet.
Bronte Jones - This 23-year-old firefighter from Sheffield is the youngest contender in the final.
Marie-Louise Nicholson - Hailing from Dublin, Marie-Louise, 28, is a fitness coach who has scored maximum points five times on Gladiators.
The second season of Gladiators is expected to kick off in Sheffield this August.
And it has been revealed that Bradley and Barney Walsh will be returning as the presenters.
In an announcement made to fans interested in buying tickets to see the Gladiator games live this summer, BBC bosses told potential audience members: "Father and son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh are back and will once again host this incredible, massive event television series!
"Gladiators is back and YOU are invited to be there and experience this spectacular, iconic family entertainment show LIVE at Utilita Arena in Sheffield.
"Brand new games alongside classic challenges will see the incredible Gladiators once again compete against brave contenders in the ultimate test of speed and strength, all culminating with fan favourite…The Eliminator.