Gladiators viewers slam ‘boring’ new Destruction game

During episode one on Saturday, viewers were treated to a first look at Destruction, in which players race down lanes of four 8ft barriers, through which they have to smash.

Two contenders had to take on one Gladiator and the first person to make it through the barriers and hit the final button was hailed the winner.

Finn and Josh took on Bionic while Rachael and Naomi went against Cyclone. In the end, both Gladiators won.

After the debut of Destruction on Gladiators, this person complained on X: “Think I fell asleep during that game….. not a fan #Gladiators.”

Another agreed: “Destruction is a no for me. Too boring gladiator gets through and then you spend ages watching 2 people kicking a wall #gladiators.”

One viewer shared: “Destruction, what a plop game #Gladiators.”

Others argued it was too similar to previous games, as an account commented: “Is this just The Ring but with polystyrene #Gladiators.”

Someone also noted: “It’s like Gauntlet but with polystyrene walls #Gladiators.”

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Yet Destruction seemed popular with some fans of Gladiators, as this person wrote: “I like Destruction. Hope it sticks #gladiators.”

This profile also shared: Destruction – what a fabulous new event on #Gladiators.”

Meanwhile, someone wrote: “Pretty different new event, it’s a little odd but I quite like it so far #gladiators.”

Who won Celebrity Gladiators?

On Christmas Day (2025), fitness coach Joe Wicks and I’m a Celebrity star Vogue Williams won the latest celebrity version of Gladiators.

Following a nail-biting finale, Wicks and Williams were crowned the champions of the festive special after defeating presenter Sam Thompson and boxing star Nicola Adams.

Wicks said: “Even though I had a bit of a breather, I still found that travelator hard. It’s much harder doing it in real life than watching it on TV.

“I’m really chuffed that I won but I have to say Sam has been an amazing partner.”

Despite his defeat, Made In Chelsea star Thompson was in high spirits and, referring to himself with his self-appointed Gladiator name, told the Utilita Arena in Sheffield: “El Cockroacho, baby – you can’t stamp him out!”

In the other eliminator, Williams, who was two-hundredths of a second ahead of Adams in completing the course, said: “I honestly cannot believe it, I’ve had the best day ever.

“The crowd when I was doing so badly were so nice to me so thank you.”

Gladiators continues next Saturday (January 24) on BBC One and iPlayer from 5.45pm.