Former Gladiators star Cobra claimed producers on the hit show "turned a blind eye" when Shadow began spiralling into drug addiction.
Shadow, real name Jefferson King, was one of the most popular stars of the hit 1990s series but became mired in scandal when his drug problems hit headlines and he lost his job on the show.
His longtime co-star Cobra - real name Michael Willson - opened up about Shadow's heartbreaking issues in an exclusive interview with The Mirror - alleging show bosses knew about his problems for six months and didn't take action because he was their star Gladiator.
Michael said: "They knew he was doing cocaine and steroids for six months and they turned a blind eye to it.
"He was a big star, it was a TV show not the Olympics, although we were being drug tested by the same people who did Olympians.
"They [the producers] said to the drug testers that they were going to get him help.
"They built him up to be such a big star, there was so much pressure on him.”
Michael went on to admit he tried to help his friend, but he had no idea just how bad his drug problems were.
He said: "He phoned me a few times and wanted to borrow more money. He already owed me some money as I paid his hotel bill and stuff, but I feel guilty for not helping him more.
"I did have a few phone calls with him later on. I didn’t know how bad his drug problem was and I was like I didn't want to give him [any money] it was going to go on that rubbish [drugs]."
Jefferson previously battled addiction issues as a teenager before being recruited by the ITV show in 1992.
He spent close to two decades dealing with drug abuse and legal problems, but eventually turned his life around and forged a new career working in a drug rehab centre.
However, he was back in the news this week after he admitted taking part in a blackmail plot.
A mug shot released showing Jefferson, now 59, looking like a shadow of his former self while he awaited sentencing in custody.
The trial was initially due to commence in January of this year however the proceedings were pushed back amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
