Filming for the next season of BBC's Gladiators is underway, but the lineup has already shifted significantly. Fan-favorite Giant has exited the show, claiming he was 'axed' after wanting to go public with his girlfriend, an OnlyFans creator. Reports also indicate that Bionic and Athena will not film new episodes due to injuries sustained during the last season, though their participation in the tour remains possible. Rumors suggest rugby star and Traitors legend Joe Marler, who stands six feet tall, may join as a guest Gladiator.
New Additions and Celebrity Special
The celebrity special lineup for later this year has been announced: AJ Odudu, Chris Ramsey, George Clarke, and Sara Pascoe will compete. Meanwhile, the main cast features several returning and new Gladiators. Here is the full roster.
Returning and New Gladiators
Tom Stoltman (Gladiator name TBC): The World's Strongest Man winner joins as Giant's replacement. At 6ft 8in and 400 pounds, he called it a 'dream opportunity' and vowed to bring 'strength, determination and personality to the arena.'
Legend – Matt Morsia: A Huel athlete with over one million Instagram followers, Legend described joining as 'an absolute life goal,' having watched the original series as a child.
Fire – Montell Douglas: A former Olympian who held the British women's 100m record and competed in bobsleigh at the 2022 Winter Olympics. She joined the cast in 2024.
Nitro – Harry Aikines-Aryeetey: After appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, Harry returns to the arena. He said Gladiators taught him 'invaluable lessons about pushing myself to the limit.'
Diamond – Livi Sheldon: At 6ft tall, the bodybuilder and former footballer called the role a 'dream come true,' adding, 'I've been training for duel since I was 9 years old!'
Fury – Jodie Ounsley: The show's first deaf Gladiator, Jodie is a former rugby player and the first deaf female to play for a senior England side. Her late father Phil competed on the show in 2008.
Steel – Zack George: An elite CrossFit athlete who won the UK's CrossFit Open Championship in 2020, Zack aims to 'motivate and inspire as many people as I can.'
Comet – Ella-Mae Rayner: A former elite gymnast turned semi-professional diver, she recalled idolizing Jet from the original series.
Electro – Jade Packer: A gold medal-winning bodybuilder and former sprinter, she said, 'I hope Electro can spark an unstoppable pursuit for a new generation of athletes.'
Phantom – Toby Olubi: An Olympian in bobsleigh (2018 Team GB), he broke the record for fastest ever bobsleigh. He said, 'Now I've got the chance to don the big "G" and be an inspirational figure myself.'
Viper – Quang Luong: A TV personality and fitness model who appeared in James Bond film Die Another Day. He warned, 'I was born to be a Gladiator... just like a Viper I can attack with speed.'
Cyclone – Lystus Ebosele: The first Irish Gladiator, a champion powerlifter who broke the junior world record at the Arnold Classic UK. She declared, 'It's OK to want to win, and it's OK to take up space and be seen.'
Hammer – Tom Wilson: An accomplished rower with a gold medal at the 2024 British Rowing Indoor Championships, also a former footballer and sprinter. He said, 'I'm a hard hitter... I mean business.'
Apollo – Alex Gray: A former rugby player who captained England's U16, U18, and U20 teams, then became the first British rugby player transferred to the NFL. He said, 'I plan on leading from the front and never giving up.'
Dynamite – Emily Steel: At 20, the youngest Gladiator. A national-level swimmer turned CrossFit athlete and singer-songwriter, she said, 'Dynamite really does represent who I am.'
Sabre – Sheli McCoy: A regular at the British Weightlifting Championships and international CrossFit athlete, she also won the Bafta Scotland audience award. She said, 'It's very important to me to represent strong women.'
The new season of Gladiators will air on BBC later this year.
