The upcoming fourth series of the BBC's Gladiators is facing backstage turmoil as cast members unite to demand the reinstatement of Jamie 'Giant' Bigg, who was axed in April over his relationship with an OnlyFans model. Filming is scheduled to begin in weeks, and multiple Gladiators are reportedly considering a collective approach to show bosses.
Colleagues Rally Behind Giant
A source told The Sun that 'a number of the Gladiators cast are really unhappy about what's happened to Jamie. They feel like he was thrown to the wolves and made an example of when he was just following his heart.' The insider added that some have 'privately discussed banding together and speaking to the show bosses about it en masse.'
Jamie, 40, was dating Taylor Ryan, 25, an OnlyFans creator earning an estimated £25,000 per month. He defended the relationship, telling Metro they had 'done nothing wrong' and calling the BBC's reaction 'archaic.' Last month, the couple split, and Jamie has since focused on self-improvement, which colleagues believe should work in his favour.
Precedent Concerns
The cast argues that Jamie's firing 'sets a scary precedent,' making them worry that 'anything from their own private lives and relationships could be used against them in the workplace.' One insider noted, 'It's not like he was appearing on OnlyFans himself. They all appreciate that Gladiators is a family show, but they don't think any of the kids who watch it will even know about his personal life.'
Comparisons were drawn to the original series, where stars like Ace (who dated Katie Price) and Hunter (who was in a relationship with host Ulrika Jonsson) had 'colourful love lives' without being fired. 'Many of the cast believe he has been treated unfairly, and it's a big injustice,' the source added.
Jamie's Side of the Story
Jamie, a fan favourite for three seasons, announced his exit was 'not his decision' and later told the Daily Mail: 'I made it clear that I was planning to go public with my relationship, including the fact my partner works as an OnlyFans creator, and shortly after that, I was told I wouldn't be continuing.' He emphasised his commitment to honesty and professionalism.
Fellow Gladiators including Diamond, Sabre, Steel, Viper, and Bionic publicly supported him on Instagram. After the breakup, Jamie posted about 'growth' and becoming the 'best version' of himself, while Taylor hinted at 'betrayal' in a vlog and discussed the split in therapy.
Replacement Already Announced
Despite the campaign, Jamie's replacement has been confirmed: 37-year-old fitness instructor Ahmad Rabus, a former Mr Universe and father of one. The BBC has not commented on the cast's appeal. The new series of Gladiators is set to air in 2027.
