BBC Unveils Plans for Gladiators Reboot and Spin-Off Series

The future of Gladiators has been revealed as a brand new spin-off is confirmed that fans will love. Presented by Bradley and Barney Walsh, the BBC competition show sees players attempt to take on super-humans. Series two aired earlier this year and now, a third is set to hit screens in 2026, as well as a celebrity special. Much loved superheroes Apollo, Athena, Bionic, Comet, Cyclone, Diamond, Dynamite, Electro, Fire, Fury, Giant, Hammer, Legend, Nitro, Phantom, Sabre, Steel, and Viper are all set to return with their impressive strength and agility. The competition will be packed with brand new events as well as four brave celebrities who will enter the arena. BBC boss Kalpna Patel-Knight promised fans 'even more epic battles' with the upcoming series and spin-off.

Gladiators hit 5.3 million viewers on average and became the most watched Saturday night series on BBC iPlayer. Dan Baldwin, Managing Director of Hungry Bear Media, a production company behind the show, added: 'We have been absolutely blown away by the reception Gladiators has received from families up and down the country. It has become a HUGE part of Saturday night viewing on the BBC. We are extremely excited to deliver another series, so expect even more spandex, hairspray, protein shakes and fake tan this summer in Sheffield!' The new series will consist of 11 instalments, while the celebrity special will be just one 60-minute episode.

It comes after a Gladiators star has signed up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing, after 'impressing' BBC producers on the Christmas special. Nitro, whose real name is Harry Aikines Aryeetey, has reportedly agreed to appear on the regular series this autumn. A show insider told The Sun how the ex-Olympian had been on bosses' wish list for some time now. They said: 'Bosses have been desperate to get Nitro on the series for a while. They were in talks last year but couldn't get the timings to marry up with his work. He was a huge hit at Christmas prancing around in lycra and showing off his biceps. Producers were also impressed with his dancing. The Gladiators' fanbase is growing and kids love them so he'll be a hit with younger viewers, too.'