I haven't seen much of Sky1's Gladiators, although I made a point to catch the first episode when the revamp of the '90s series premiered in the summer. I had some issues with it aesthetically, but it was certainly a decent comeback of a classic I adored as a kid. Now that Sky1 is back on my TV subscription, I'll definitely be catching up with all the silliness. Gladiators is returning for a second series, you'll be glad to hear -- but there are some big changes in store:- Kirsty Gallacher (the perfect host for Gladiators, in my mind) has stepped down, and has been replaced by Caroline Flack -- who's also pretty hot, so I can live with it (see below)
- Six new Gladiators are joining the team: Amazon, Cyclone, Doom, Goliath, Siren and Warrior. The full line-up are in the photo above.
- Wolf (a.k.a Michael Van Wijk) is returning to the series after competing in the Gladiators: The Legend special. He will become the Gladiators' manager; a role that's totally redundant, but will give him plenty of opportunities to storm around shouting and stirring up the crowd. Hopefully he'll grow his hair long again, too.
- The sexy Ice and Destroyer will not be returning.
- The new series will run for 12 episodes, down from 16. Sky will also be filming two episodes per day, hence the increase in Gladiators to take the strain. Four specials will be made.
- Iconic referee John Anderson, whose catchphrases made him a household name back in the '90s, has decided to leave. He will be replaced by former Boxing referee John Coyle.
- Some new events are planned, together with a revamped Eliminator final.
So there you have it. I'm sad to see referee John Anderson go; his Scottish cry of "Gladiator, ready! Contender, ready!" still brings back memories of watching the ITV original in the early-'90s. Didn't Anderson like the new series? Did the producers just feel like a change? Likewise, Kirsty Gallacher will be missed.
I remember hearing that the new series takes an extraordinarily long time to film (something like 5 hours), owing to the smaller set and heavy use of water tanks, platforms and fire, so maybe Gallacher and Anderson just found it all too boring? The '90s series had the benefit of the massive Birmingham NEC, so a lot of the events were built and waiting in the wings, or already in position but out of shot.
Still, great to hear The Wolfman will be back. If they can talk Jet into accepting a managerial position, that would be even better. Maybe next time. Oh, and I still regress into a hormonal 13-year-old whenever I see a woman in her Gladiator get-up. Isn't Tempest the sexiest?
Presenters: Ian Wright returns, with newcomer Caroline Flack and the legendary Wolf
The new Gladiators: Warrior, Cyclone, Doom, Siren, Goliath and Amazon!
New referee: John Coyle
