03 February 2024 , 20:03
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Gladiators fans all rushed to praise one of the show's contender's this evening - thanks to the hopeful delivering a funny line when handling one of host Bradley Walsh's questions.
The BBC show returned to our screens once again tonight, at a slightly later time than usual thanks to the rugby, and viewers were delighted to get another installment of the rebooted hit series. Fans were introduced to two new female contestants, Sharon, 33, from Buckinghamshire and Nia, 37, from Blackpool.
Speaking in her VT before making her debut in the arena, Nia introduced herself to Gladiators fans and revealed she enjoyed playing hockey and netball as a child before losing sight in her left eye. After becoming partially blind, Nia then turned her focus to athletics as a way of enjoying sports.
Before taking on the Gladiators in one challenge that required good hand-eye coordination, co-hosts Bradley Walsh and his son Barney Walsh asked both Sharon and Nia how they fancied their chanced. The Chase star Bradley then asked Nia: "How do you think you'll get on without having sight in your left eye?"
The Gladiators contestant explained how losing her sight impacted her childhood (BBC)Laughing, Nia told the star: "I'll be alright - I've brought up four kids." The plucky contestant then went on to gesture how she was used to having to watch and run around after four young children. Nia's response went down a treat with Gladiators viewers watching at home.
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"#gladiators when the girl who is blind in one eye says that gladiators should be a piece of cake in comparison to 4 kids," one wrote on Twitter (X) after the scene aired, with another adding: "Asking one of the contestants how she’ll cope only having the sight in one eye with #Gladiators all around her and Nia says nonchalantly, “I’ll be alright, I’ve brought up four kids.” I LOVE this show and everyone who takes part!"
Nia had plenty more fans on social media, with a fellow Lancashire lass declaring: "Blackpool represented on #gladiators - go Nia!!!" Another added: "Sharon and Nia, loving both but Nia's hair, is fantastic and i love her attitude hope she goes far on #Gladiators." A third added: "Already backing Nia just for her disability. #Gladiators."
This evening's episode of Gladiators - the fourth in the first series of the BBC reboot - found itself pushed down the pecking order when it came to scheduling. Thanks to the launch of the annual Six Nations rugby championship on Friday, which will run from February 2 to March 16 this year, many BBC and ITV shows will found themselves having their usual slot moved about over coming weeks.
Wales and Scotland's meeting at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff was broadcasted on BBC One from 4pm until 7.10pm - meaning Gladiators had to give up its usual kick-off time of 5.50pm. However, the television sports entertainment game show hit our screens as soon as the rugby wrapped up.