Gladiators star John Anderson who became the voice of hit TV show left staggering amount to his wife in his will

GLADIATORS referee John Anderson left more than £400,000 in his will – including a hefty donation to his memorial charity.

The Scottish sports coach turned TV personality, famed for his “Gladiator, ready” catchphrase on the smash ITV show, bequeathed most of his fortune to his beloved wife Dorothy.

Hard-nosed John, a staple of the show’s first run in the 90s and late-00s revival, was a fan favourite for disciplining unruly contestants and Gladiator rivals like Wolf.

He died aged 92 in July after a 70-year career in sports including training Team GB Olympians.

Anderson left a total of £411,314 including property, possessions and TV royalties from hundreds of reruns.

He signed his final will in June 2022 and appointed two pals as executors.

Most of his personal items, including the couple’s home in Market Hanborough, Leics, were left to his loyal wife Dorothy.

Other funds were sent to a memorial foundation to be set up in his memory, with a direction that once his wife dies, the money is used for poverty relief and community development.

John guided the careers of more than 100 runners including Dave Moorcroft, who won 5000metre gold in the 1982 Commonwealth Games, after starting out as a PE teacher.

Former UK Athletics CEO Moorcroft, 71, was named as one of Anderson's trustees.

He joined Gladiators at its launch in 1992 after plans to hire a Premier League football ref fell through at the last minute.

The whistle-wielding official stayed with the show until it ended its original run on New Year’s Day in 2000.

He returned for one series on Sky's 2008 reboot but was not featured in the show's BBC return, which is fronted by Bradley Walsh and son Barney.

Football official Mark Clattenburg, who replaced him as ref, said: “One of the most iconic voices and will always be remembered.

“I had the most difficult task to follow him in the new series of Gladiators and watching him keep the Gladiators within the rules will always be with me!! Rest in peace legend!!”

Olympic sprinter Jennifer Stoute, known as Rebel on the show, wrote: “He was the best. He knew how to make us laugh and get mad too. Best memories.”

Actor and bodybuilder “Rhino” Mark Smith said Anderson’s “smile, voice and energy was second to none”.

He added: “The true backbone of Gladiators. My deepest condolences to your family.”

Anderson was married, first, to Christine in 1962, and later again to Dorothy, his widow.