The BBC's Gladiators is coming back for a second series next year. The revival of the 90s classic show has been a big hit, especially with gym-loving Gen Z and Millennials.
Deals with the 16 Gladiators. including Jodie Ounsley - or Fury - who plays for the Exeter Chiefs. have yet to be finalised, but all are in talks to return, along with hosts Bradley Walsh and his son Barney.
And TV bosses are preparing for an influx of applications. The bosses are braced for a huge number of applications from the public wanting to be contenders after the show was credited with bringing back family viewing at Saturday teatime. This Saturday’s show is the grand final, with the winning male and female contenders each receiving a trophy.
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The first episode of Gladiators was watched by six million people live, which is the most for any new show in the UK since 2017. Last weekend, more than four million people watched it, making it the most-watched show that day.
Someone from the show said: "Everyone is delighted that Gladiators has won over a new generation of fans. Are we ready for a second outing? You bet we are.", reports the Mirror.
Series two goes into production this month and will film at Sheffield Arena during the school holidays in August. And sources have mentioned that a celebrity special might be in the works - similar to what Walsh did back in 1997 when he nicknamed himself 'Crumpet'.
On Tuesday, the BBC director general talked about how important the classic sports show is for next year. While speaking to the Royal Television Society, he said: "We will, despite budget pressures, prioritise big national occasions from the Coronation, Eurovision, the Proms and Glastonbury, to the Olympics and the Euros, or Strictly or Gladiators, Children in Need or even that great drama: Election Night."
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