Gladiators star Giant has announced he will not return to the hit BBC reality competition series, revealing in a candid social media post that his departure was not his choice.
Giant's Departure Announcement
The bodybuilder and TV personality, whose real name is Jamie Bigg, has appeared in the past three seasons of the rebooted show, first joining in January 2024. In a new Instagram post on Friday, he announced he was stepping back from the show, calling the role the 'greatest honour of his life'.
Behind-the-Scenes Difficulties
Alluding to difficulties behind the scenes, Bigg wrote: 'Stepping into that arena, hearing the crowd, representing strength, resilience and being a role model… that's something I'll carry with me forever.' He added: 'What I do want to make clear is this wasn't a decision I made to step away. I was faced with a choice that didn't align with my values.'
'And if you know me, you know this… I stand by my people and I stand by what I believe in. That's what being a role model means to me,' he continued.
Gratitude and Future Plans
Bigg concluded his post with a final reflection, extending his gratitude to all those who had supported him. 'I'm proud of everything I gave to the show and grateful for every single person who supported me along the way. This isn't the end. It's just the beginning. Stay strong. Stand tall,' wrote the former firefighter.
Metro has reached out to the BBC for comment. More to follow.
