Ulrika Jonsson opens up on 'bed-hopping' antics of original Gladiators stars
Ulrika Jonsson has reflected on her time as a host on hit show Gladiators - saying the athletes all used to sleep together.
The 56-year-old Swedish presenter became a household name when she hosted the iconic game show from 1992 until 2000. The show is back in the spotlight after the BBC revived the format to create new episodes of the once tired series.
New contestants are able to take on muscular athletes to race them through daring obstacle courses and down challenging gauntlet. But Ulrika has hinted that the original batch of professional athletes that took part in the show were all sex obsessed and sleeping with each other.
The star has been peeling back the covers on her past on the show - saying that bosses of the original series had to step in to warn the athletes to cool off. The show was regarded as a family-friendly highlight of each weekend as millions tuned in around the weekend - with fans then expecting the stars to have a somewhat squeaky clean image.
Ulrika Jonsson has reflected on the 'bed hopping' antics of the original Gladiators athletes of the 1990s (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Ulrika told The Sun: “During filming in Birmingham, they were all housed on one floor of the hotel we all lived in, and at the start of that first series there was a lot of bed-hopping. It was bad enough for the producer and director to give them a reprimand."
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"I have really fond memories of all those years of filming. The show saw me through a lot of personal highs and lows — it was as if each year brought a new and different version of me.”
Ulrika, of course, dated one of the Gladiators of her day - enjoying a year long romance with James Crossley, better known by his stage name Hunter. The TV host and the now 50-year-old bodybuilder seem to still be close as Ulrika sent a flirty message to him in 2021 when he was starring on the reality show The Circle.
A host of new professional athletes are challenging members of the public on Gladiators in 2024 (BBC / Nick Eagle / © Hungry Bear Media Ltd)She shared a snap of James on her Instagram Stories and referenced his appearance on the show, writing: “It's too late at night for me to watch but he can be cute.” The pair had dated after Ulrika’s marriage to camera man John Turnbull collapsed in 1995.
Ulrika wrote about the romance in her 2003 autobiography, titled Honest, writing: “Well, I guess I was infatuated with James… It was a physical thing. And what a nice man he turned out to be.”
Meanwhile, in her chat with The Sun, Ulrika said she is enjoying replacement hosts Bradley Walsh, 62, and his 26-year-old son Barney fill in her shoes on the show. Gushing about the new BBC series, she said: "I wish the show well... I think Bradley Walsh is a brilliant, safe pair of hands when it comes to hosting the new version. He’s funny and cheeky and is perfect for the role. Barney also did a good job — although he did look a tad nervous in that first episode."
TV viewers, however, have been lest impressed - with many calling nepotism over the fact the father and son have been handed the presenting gig together. After Bradley and Barney appeared on The One Show on Friday night, many TV fans took to X to blast the presenters. One sarcastically commented: “Good to see nepotism is alive and well in the industry #Gladiators #theoneshow."
Another complained: "Barney only got the job cause his dad #Gladiators #theoneshow." While another uninspired viewer complained: "Bradley and Barney are on TV far too much #theoneshow." But others were happy to see the pair united again to host another TV show - having already won over fans with their road trip series Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad.
The fan commented online: “I'm really happy that Bradley & Barney Walsh will be presenting Gladiators. Especially Barney, because he is a real talent & is being held back by his father in his meritorious TV career. #TheOneShow."
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