Gladiators bosses super-size cast for second series after hugely-successful reboot was the biggest entertainment launch in seven years
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Gladiators bosses have revealed they have super-sized the cast for its second series - after the reboot saw huge success.
The return of the iconic 90s game show back in January was the biggest entertainment launch in seven years, drawing in 10million viewers for its first episode.
And in celebration, BBC bosses have added two more Gladiators to its line-up, bringing the squad to an impressive 18.
The two new Gladiators will join the original squad, including Athena, Bionic, Giant, Dynamite, Comet, Viper, Electro, Apollo, and Steel Sabre, Legend, Diamond, Phantom, and Strictly star Fire (Montell Douglas).
However Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey) will have to sit this next series out due to a knee injury, instead sitting ringside with hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh as a presenter.
Confirming the cast addition, a source told The Sun: 'Execs knew they needed to up the ante for the new series, which will air in the new year.
Gladiators bosses have revealed they have super-sized the cast for its second series - after the reboot saw huge success
The return of the iconic 90s game show back in January was the biggest entertainment launch in seven years, drawing in 10million viewers for its first episode
'The two new Gladiators joined filming in the summer but the audience at the Sheffield Arena were sworn to secrecy.
'Everyone is excited to introduce the two newbies to viewers in the New Year.'
Its arrival on the prime time Saturday night schedule proved to be a ratings winner for the BBC, with 28 day viewing figures revealing 9.8million tuned in for the first episode.
The sizeable audience share turned it into the most successful launch for an entertainment show on the BBC in seven years, with an average 8.3million viewers watching across the entire eleven episodes.
Its success means Gladiators will return with a second series that is expected to include at least one celebrity-led version of the show, typically contested by members of the public, in 2025.
'I can reveal we are going to do a celebrity special,' Executive Producer and Hungry Bear Media Managing Director Dan Baldwin, husband of TV presenter Holly Willoughby, told Radio 4.
'You always look at old shows that are no longer on television. You are always coming up with new ways of bringing back a show.'
He added: 'It’s no exaggeration to say that the response to Gladiators has been phenomenal. The episodes have been packed with nail-biting drama, thrilling action and huge emotion.
The two new Gladiators will join the original squad, including Athena, Bionic, Giant, Dynamite, Comet, Viper, Electro, Apollo, and Steel Sabre, Legend, Diamond, Phantom, and Strictly star Fire (Montell Douglas)
However Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey) will have to sit this next series out due to a knee injury, instead sitting ringside with hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh as a presente
'Series 2 will see the show go from strength-to-strength. We have some amazing surprises in store for the fans. Are you ready?!?'
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, said: 'Gladiators has really kicked this year off with a bang, and we’re so delighted that the fans have come to the show in their masses.
'It has been wonderful to hear how much families have loved watching this together, as part of the BBC’s Saturday evening entertainment offering. We can’t wait for more action from the Gladiators.'
Elsewhere, Dom Bird, SVP of Gladiators production company MGM Alternative, International said: 'It's been incredible to see Gladiators re-igniting the excitement that this show has always delivered on Saturday nights in the UK.
'We are delighted a second series has been confirmed for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and we can’t wait to get back into the arena with our partners at Hungry Bear Media and the BBC.'
Many had predicted a second series of Gladiators was on the cards after it eclipsed the viewing figures of other shows in January, including Dancing On Ice and The Masked Singer.
The popular game show was originally broadcast on ITV from 1992 to 2000, before returning for a single series on Sky One in 2008.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Gemma Atkinson was in talks to appear on a celebrity version of the show.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Gemma Atkinson was in talks to appear on a celebrity version of the show
The physically challenging game-show was resurrected by the broadcasting giant in January, 32-years after its original ITV launch and 16-years after Sky One scrapped an earlier revival.
After it proved a success, it was confirmed a celebrity version of the programme was being worked on.
A source told the Mirror: 'Gemma heard that a celebrity special was in the pipeline, and said to her agent she would love to be involved.
'Gladiators was Gemma’s favourite show as a kid, and, because she’s so into fitness now, it would be her dream gig. Talks are ongoing – the show team are thrilled that she is so keen.'
Gladiators is to return to the BBC with a celebrity spin-off after the rebooted show became a ratings smash.
