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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Phoebe Jobling

ITV's hit 90s series Gladiators to make a comeback on BBC next year

BBC are set to bring back the classic game show Gladiators next year. The popular game show originally aired on ITV between 1992 and 2000 and drew huge audiences in every Saturday evening.

The much anticipated programme is now set to return on BBC One with an 11-episode series with a new generation of “superhumans” who will compete against contestants in the “ultimate test of speed and strength".

Gladiators will include new games alongside its classic challenges – with each episode ending with the fan favourite, gruelling obstacle course The Eliminator.

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During the 90s the likes of Trojan, Jet, Nightshade and Hunter became household names in the UK.

The format – which originated in the US – was replicated in Australia, South Africa, Russia, Finland, Germany, Nigeria, Denmark and Sweden.

When it returned to Sky, airing between 2008-2009, Kirsty Gallacher and Ian Wright took over hosting duties from the original presenters John Fashanu and Ulrika Jonsson – with original referee John Anderson also returning for the Sky revival.

TV presenter Jonsson, 55, shot to fame as a TV weathergirl, with Gladiators catapulting her to further stardom.

The BBC has not yet announced who will host the revived show, but filming will take place at the Utilita Arena Sheffield next year.

Kate Phillips, the BBC’s director of unscripted, said: “Gladiators is back and a whole new generation of viewers can now look forward to watching a Saturday night spectacle like no other.

“Will the contenders have the will and the skill to succeed against our mighty new Gladiators? You’ll have to tune in to find out.”

Dan Baldwin, managing director of Hungry Bear, said: “It’s the perfect time for Gladiators to return.

“What other show combines electric excitement, superheroes, giant sponge fingers, elite athletes, and a pinch of pantomime? Watch out for the new breed of superhuman, supersized, superstars bursting on to your screens on BBC One and iPlayer.”

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