First Gladiators unveiled as reboot signs up rugby player and CrossFit star
Gladiators are ready! The first two competitors Fury and Steel have been revealed - along with the new hosts of the BBC reboot of Gladiators.
Bradley Walsh and son Barney will front the revamped Gladiators, which was originally broadcast from 1992 to 2000 on ITV.
The 11 part series will see a new generation of "superhuman Gladiators" compete against a brave set of contenders in the test of speed and strength. And the first two new fitness fanatics who will take on the contenders were named last night.
Professional Exeter Chiefs Rugby Player Jodie Ounsley has been named ‘Fury’ thanks to her power and passion for competition.
Jodie Ounsley will go by the name Fury on the show (Robbie Stephenson/JMP/REX/Shutterstock)A former England Women’s Rugby Sevens player, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu British Champion and five times World Coal Carrying champion, she won the title of Deaf Sports Personality of The Year in 2020. She is completely deaf in both ears and wears a cochlear implant to help her communicate.
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Jodie, 22, said: “Watching Gladiators growing up I was always in awe of their strength and power and now I am one! I hope contenders are ready to feel the Fury.”
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UK CrossFit star Zack George won the title of the UK’s Fittest Man in 2020. He has appeared on. the cover of Men's fitness magazines and his unbreakable strength has earned him the name ‘Steel’.
Zack, 32, was motivated to help people with their fitness after undertaking his own personal fitness journey as a teenager. As Steel, he hopes that he can inspire a new, young generation of fans to get into fitness as well. Like Steel he’s strong, tough and nothing will break him, including those contenders!
Zack said: “I was inspired by the Gladiators as a child, but never imagined I’d be physically fit enough to be considered a ‘superhuman’! I hope a new generation of fans will look up to me as their new strong, unbreakable hero, Steel.”
Zack George will be called Steel (Instagram/zackgeorge)
He is a CrossFit star (Instagram/zackgeorge)Competitors from the general public will take part in a series of brand new games alongside classic challenges including fan favourites Duel, Hang Tough and The Eliminator - the gruelling obstacle course .
The competition will kick off at the Utilita Arena Sheffield in June.
Announcing their new hosts, the BBC said the show "has always been a huge part of the Walsh family" as Bradley's wife Donna was head choreographer for the Gladiator cheerleaders and Bradley appeared in the Celebrities vs Jockeys special in 1997.
Bradley, who presents hit ITV quiz show The Chase, said: "Wow! I can't believe that I've been asked to be part of this iconic show.
Bradley and Barney have been confirmed as hosts (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
The father and son duo will front the reboot (Getty Images)"I used to sit backstage, or in the audience, every week watching my wife be part of this juggernaut and now I get to co-host a new version of Gladiators!!! Saturday night family entertainment at its best... Are you ready?!"
Barney, who also stars alongside his father in ITV comedy travel series Bradley & Barney Walsh: Breaking Dad, said: "Gladiators has been a massive part of our family and it's an honour to be asked to co-host this iconic show.
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"I'm so excited for everyone to see the spectacle, elite athletes and fantastic family entertainment that is Gladiators."
At its peak in the 1990s Gladiators drew huge audiences to the Saturday evening ITV slot of over 14 million on ITV. It returned to TV screens on Sky between 2008 and 2009.
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