News Beat
Original Gladiators game to return for new BBC series
The hit BBC game show, hosted by father and son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh, is back for a new series this weekend.
One big change for the new series, which was rebooted by the BBC in 2024, is the introduction of three new games.
Bradley has said that the new additions “really raise the stakes”, adding that there will be a “few surprises” this year.
Original Gladiators game among new ones coming in series 3
Two of the new games, including which iconic game from the original show will be making a return, have not yet been confirmed.
Host Barney teased the returning game, saying: “I think people will be glad to have it back.”
One of the new games has been revealed, called Destruction.
It will see both contenders facing one Gladiator in a race to the button in the middle of the arena.
Each player will run down their own lane, facing four gigantic 8ft barriers, some of which can be smashed through with body power, another destroyed with a battering ram, and one conquered by climbing.
The first to smash through and slam the final button wins.
On the new events, host Bradley said: “We’ve got three new events that really raise the stakes, testing both the Gladiators and contenders in completely different ways.”
He added: “There are definitely a few surprises in store, with some unbelievable edge-of-your-seat moments.”
What original Gladiators games have returned in the revived BBC series?
There have been several games from the original series from the 90s that returned in the 2024 reboot.
The first series saw the return of Hang Tough, The Wall, Powerball, Duel and Gauntlet.
The second series added Atlaspheres from the 1990s version alongside its new “sister-event”, named Crash Course.
Other games in the original series that have not yet made a return are the likes of Catapult, Danger Zone, Dogfight, Joust, Pendulum, Pyramid and Suspension Bridge.
Familiar Gladiator faces return to the Sheffield arena, including Apollo, Athena, Comet, Giant, Legend and Viper.
The new series will include 11 one-hour episodes and a single one-hour Gladiators celebrity special.
Gladiators returns to BBC One and iPlayer on January 17 at 5.45pm.
