Filming of the BBC's Celebrity Gladiators special took an unexpected turn at Sheffield Arena this week when The Traitors champion Harry Clark was reportedly brought in as a last-minute replacement for comedian Chris Ramsey. According to The Sun, Ramsey suffered a leg injury that forced him to withdraw from a challenge called Unleashed, which required contestants to cover long distances on foot.
The sudden change meant Clark, a former British Army engineer and winner of £95,000 on The Traitors UK season two, had to step into the arena with little notice. It is understood to be the first Celebrity Gladiators episode to feature five celebrities rather than the usual four.
An insider told The Sun: 'The audience where the show was being filmed at Sheffield Arena were enthralled by the turn of events and were thrilled when it was announced he was stepping in.'
A curveball that paid off
The insider added that Clark's appearance drew a huge round of applause as he emerged in his lycra outfit. The former soldier, who kept his Traitor identity secret from the rest of the castle contestants throughout the series, was described as a 'master game-player' by The Sun.
There was a moment of humour too when Clark appeared with a bandage on his hand. He explained he had suffered a minor injury while making a cup of tea. The insider said: 'There were a few chuckles too when the former soldier emerged with a bandage on his hand and explained he'd suffered a minor injury making a cup of tea. He said he hoped he could hold his own and do Chris proud, however.'
Ramsey's partial return
Despite the setback, Ramsey reportedly did not bow out of the entire show. He is said to have continued competing in challenges that did not put further strain on his hamstring injury. This suggests the comedian, who has previously joked about his age and fitness, was determined to stay involved as much as possible.
When Ramsey's involvement in Gladiators was first announced, he said: 'As someone who religiously watched Gladiators as a kid, it's beyond incredible to be taking part in the show myself! However, a large part of me does wish it could have been while I was in my 20s and not 40… but there you go.'
A star-studded lineup
The Celebrity Gladiators special also features Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu, fellow comedian Sara Pascoe, and social media personality George Clarke. With Clark added as a fifth celebrity, the episode is set to be a memorable one for viewers.
It remains unclear whether Clark was already on standby or simply happened to be at the arena on Friday when producers needed him. Either way, his sudden appearance has generated significant buzz for the show, and fans are already speculating about how he will fare against the fearsome Gladiators.
Clark became a household name after winning the second season of The Traitors UK, outwitting his fellow contestants and taking home the £95,000 prize. His ability to keep his Traitor status a secret until the final episodes earned him widespread acclaim, and his appearance on Gladiators adds another dimension to his growing television career.
The challenge known as Unleashed appears to be a running-based endurance test, which explains why a leg injury would rule Ramsey out. The comedian had reportedly sustained a hamstring injury, a common problem for active individuals, and was advised not to risk aggravating it further.
Representatives for the BBC, Chris Ramsey and Harry Clark were contacted by Metro for comment. The special is expected to air later this year, with further casting announcements anticipated.
