Gladiators star Apollo ‘harassed on set by woman stalker’ leaving him ‘very worried’ and sparking police probe

POLICE are probing a woman stalking TV Gladiator Apollo.

The star, real name Alex Gray, 33, was harassed on set and at his Sheffield digs.

BBC bosses beefed up ­security.

A source said: “Alex was left very worried.”

Sources said the Gladiators star, 33, was targeted by a female stalker who turned up at his place of work and where he was staying. 

Alex told The Sun on Sunday yesterday: “There was an incident. That’s as much as I can say, until something comes of it and there’s action taken.

“Maybe there might not be. I’m still waiting to hear. The police are doing their thing.”

A source confirmed: “The police are investigating. No one has been arrested at this stage. On one occasion a woman was particularly threatening and it was strongly felt the matter needed reporting to the police. Alex was left very worried.

“It was decided the police should be informed as it felt like a serious case of stalking.”

Alex, a former England U20s rugby union player and NFL American footballer, filmed the second series of Gladiators last summer.

It was understood the BBC and production company Hungry Bear Media arranged for extra “support and protection” around the Utilita Arena in Sheffield and outside a rented apartment block in the city where stars stayed during filming.

Alex, who is 6ft 3ins, recently revealed he had got used to fans mobbing him in the street since he was announced as a Gladiator.

He said: “It is what it is, it comes with the show.

“Obviously it’s all a bit new for me — I’ve been in some sort of spotlight before with the international rugby and the NFL — but that was minimal compared to what Gladiators brings.

“It’s a little strange, a little intense sometimes.

“I can’t share what kind of messages I get, and I’m not saying I’m the heart-throb of the show — but I am the heart-throb of the show. My DMs have never been so full.”

But, sources stressed, the incident which was reported to the police was “more sinister than a case of over-zealous fans”.

'Over-zealous fans'

The source added: “Although it’s been a tough time for Alex, he loves the show and is throwing himself into work and all the opportunities coming his way.” Gladiators originally aired on ITV between 1992 and 2000.

It was revived by Sky for two series from 2008 and then again by the BBC last year, with Bradley Walsh and son Barney presenting.

In the show four, contenders compete in physically challenging events including Hang Tough, The Wall and the Travelator against elite athletes — including bodybuilders, power-lifters and Olympians.

Gladiators is made by Hungry Bear Media, the production firm co-owned by Holly Willoughby’s husband Dan Baldwin.

Alex, from County Durham, joined the show after a successful sporting career.

He played rugby union for the England Sevens, Newcastle Falcons, London Irish and Yorkshire Carnegie.

In 2017 he became the first Brit rugby star to pursue a career in American football, signing for the Atlanta Falcons as a tight end.

He also made history as the first international player to captain an NFL team.

I’m still waiting to hear, police are doing their thing

Apollo

After three years Alex returned to rugby union, signing with Bath in 2020, before making the switch to Saturday night TV last year.

The self-professed Gladiators fan is described on the show’s website as having “the cheeky good looks of a Greek god and the speed of a rocket”.

Alex is also said to have a competitive nature and “won’t stop” until he wins.

Ahead of last night’s series opener, he told the BBC: “There’s such a buzz, it’s the most exciting thing.

'Twists and turns'

“I can’t wait to see all the twists and turns I’ve forgotten about.

“It was such good fun filming it and doing it, so to see it actually come to life and come through the screen is super-exciting.

“There’s been a bit of a wait, but I have no doubt it’s worth it.”

In a recent interview Alex told how adults often come up to him for a selfie — using their children as an excuse.

He explained: “You do ­wonder if it’s just the adults who have forced their kids to come along to the show.”

The Gladiators revival has been a runaway success, attracting up to four million viewers and beating ITV’s hugely successful The Masked Singer in the ratings.

Alex was very worried it needed reporting

Show source

Some 8.7 million people tuned in to watch last season’s premiere in January — the most viewers for a UK entertainment launch since 2017.

At its peak, the original run drew in more than 14 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched shows of the 1990s.

The new series has been given a major upgrade — moving from its original home in Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena to the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.

And the latest series has been touted as “tougher than ever”, by BBC insiders.

The BBC and representatives for Hungry Bear Media said they could not comment on the stalking probe.

Sources at the BBC confirmed police were investigating.