Gladiators (2024 British TV series) series 2

Gladiators
Series 2
StarringBradley Walsh
Barney Walsh
Mark Clattenburg
Sonia Mkoloma
Lee Phillips
Guy Mowbray
No. of episodes12 (including Celebrity special)
Release
Original networkBBC One
Original release1 January 2025 (2025-01-01)
(Celebrity special)
Original release18 January (2025-01-18) –
12 April 2025 (2025-04-12)
Series chronology

The second series of Gladiators aired in the UK on 18 January 2025 on BBC One. It was recorded in August 2024 at the Sheffield Arena.[1][2][3]

The series was commissioned by the BBC after a successful relaunch in 2024, which attracted nearly ten million viewers during its whole first series.[4][5][6]

The eleven-part series is being presented by the Walshes (Bradley and Barney), who also presented the first series.[7][8] Mark Clattenburg returns as the lead referee alongside assistants Lee Phillips and Sonia Mkoloma.

In addition to the regular episodes, the series also has a "one-off" celebrity special episode, where four celebrity contestants; Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett, Louise Minchin and Ellie Taylor, took on the Gladiators.[9][8]

The first heat episode is dedicated to original Gladiators referee John Anderson, who died in July 2024.[10]

Gladiators

Further information: Gladiators (2024 British TV series) § The Gladiators

All of the Gladiators from the previous series return this series,[11] with Diamond (Livi Sheldon) and Giant (Jamie Christian-Johal) being amongst the very first announced returnees.[12][13][8] New Gladiators Cyclone (Lystus Ebosele), and Hammer (Tom Wilson) were revealed in the course of the series.[14][15]

Males Females
Gladiator name Real name Stats Gladiator name Real name Stats
Apollo Alex Gray 6 ft 6 in, 249 lb (1.98 m, 113 kg) Athena Karenjeet Kaur Bains 5 ft 4 in, 148 lb (1.63 m, 67 kg)
Bionic Matty Campbell 6 ft 6 in, 260 lb (1.98 m, 120 kg) Comet Ella-Mae Rayner 5 ft 8 in, 146 lb (1.73 m, 66 kg)
Giant Jamie Christian-Johal 6 ft 5 in, 280 lb (1.96 m, 130 kg) Cyclone[a] Lystus Ebosele 5 ft 10 in, 209 lb (1.78 m, 95 kg)
Hammer[b] Tom Wilson 6 ft 6 in, 257 lb (1.98 m, 117 kg) Diamond Liv Sheldon 6 ft, 176 lb (1.83 m, 80 kg)
Legend Matt Morsia 6 ft 1 in, 212 lb (1.85 m, 96 kg) Dynamite Emily Steel 5 ft 5 in, 141 lb (1.65 m, 64 kg)
Electro Jade Packer 5 ft 8 in, 154 lb (1.73 m, 70 kg)
Phantom Toby Olubi 6 ft 5 in, 247 lb (1.96 m, 112 kg) Fire Montell Douglas 5 ft 10 in, 148 lb (1.78 m, 67 kg)
Steel Zack George 6 ft, 236 lb (1.83 m, 107 kg) Fury Jodie Ounsley 5 ft 7 in, 163 lb (1.70 m, 74 kg)
Viper Quang Luong 6 ft, 200 lb (1.83 m, 90 kg) Sabre Sheli McCoy 5 ft 7 in, 154 lb (1.70 m, 70 kg)

Not Competing

Males
Gladiator name Real name Stats
Nitro[c] Harry Aikines-Aryeetey 5 ft 11 in, 187 lb (1.80 m, 85 kg)
Notes
  1. ^ Irish powerlifter joined mid-series filming.
  2. ^ British indoors rower joined mid-series filming.
  3. ^ Although Nitro featured on the programme, he did not appear in any of the events during the series, due to knee injury he picked up from the trainings.[16]

Contenders

The winning contenders are marked in bold. As the series contains only five heats, and three quarter finals, in addition to the winners of the previous episodes, the fastest runner-ups advance to the next stage (Marked with WC).

Episodes Male Contenders Female Contenders
Celebrity Special Rob Beckett Joel Dommett Ellie Taylor Louise Minchin
Heat 1 Nathan Bland Scott Castell Zavia Hill Katie Ip
Heat 2 Joe Holroyde Aman Yadh Nikki Billingham Keeva Neely[a]
Heat 3 Lewis Prothero (WC) Mus Dumbuya Toni Prothero Amanda Wah
Heat 4 Joe Fishburn Junior Cunningham Stacey Brown Poppy Bulmer
Heat 5 Nush Sajjad Andy Mitchell Rachel Bruno-Hardy[17] (WC) Aneila Afsar
Quarter Final 1 Joe Holroyde (WC) Mus Dumbuya Zavia Hill Poppy Bulmer
Quarter Final 2 Joe Fishburn Lewis Prothero Aneila Afsar (WC) Amanda Wah
Quarter Final 3 Nathan Bland Andy Mitchell Rachel Bruno-Hardy Keeva Neely
Semi Final 1 Joe Fishburn Joe Holroyde Keeva Neely Amanda Wah
Semi Final 2 Nathan Bland Mus Dumbuya Zavia Hill Aneila Afsar
Grand Final Joe Fishburn Mus Dumbuya Zavia Hill/Aneila Afsar[b] Amanda Wah
Winners Joe Fishburn Amanda Wah
Notes
  1. ^ Contender Keeva advanced directly to the quarter finals round, as Nikki was unable to participate in the Eliminator due to sustaining an injury after The Edge prior.
  2. ^ Though Zavia won in the Eliminator in the semi final, a post from the official Gladiators Instagram later revealed that she was forced to withdraw before the Grand Final due to an injury she had sustained during the Powerball event, with Aneila, who was the fastest runner-up, taking her place in the Grand Final. Zavia appeared in the audience throughout the Final.

Events

Main article: List of Gladiators UK events

In addition to all of the events from the previous series (Duel, Gauntlet, Hang Tough, Collision, The Ring, Powerball, The Wall, The Edge and The Eliminator), some new events are introduced on the second series of Gladiators.[11][18]

Following events were added to the roster:

  • Atlaspheres,[14][19] which returns from the 1990s version. In the event, the contenders are inside large metal cages, or "spheres" and try to gain points by crossing different score pods on the arena floor, while two Gladiators try to prevent this inside their own spheres. The contenders earn 2 points for every check in the pods.
  • Crash Course is a modification of Atlaspheres, where the contenders must race around the arena while simultaneously being pursued by the Gladiators, trying to catch the contenders in their own spheres, before these reach the finish line. The first to complete two laps earns 10 points, and the second has a limited time to reach to finish line after that, to claim 5 points.
  • Unleash[19] is a new game of tag, where the contender must make it around the arena floor, and grab a "G" flag from the top of a podium, while a Gladiator is "Unleashed" and starts a pursuit behind them. 10 points for the contender are up to grab if they can pick up the hanging flag at the top of the platform. 5 points for jumping for the flag, and 0 points if the gladiator reaches the contender and grabs this flag behind their back. The competitors must climb the steps to the platform one at a time, or they will be disqualified automatically.

As the result of fan feedback from the previous series, the Gauntlet received some major upgrades for this series.[11] An additional fifth zone/Gladiator was added, and a new "shield" weapon resembling the shape of a claw or bucket was introduced.[20]

Episodes

Note, that some of the episodes are shown in a different order from that which they were filmed in.

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleBBC One airdateUK viewers
(millions) [21]		Weekly Rank [21]
––"Celebrity Special"1 January 2025 (2025-01-01)6.049th

Competing in the New Year’s Celebrity Special are: Rob Beckett, Louise Minchin, Joel Dommett and Ellie Taylor.[22][23][24]

The celebrities face the Gladiators in events like the classical Duel and the updated version of Gauntlet, before taking on each other in the legendary Eliminator. The episode saw gladiator Comet's first appearance on the show since major injury she suffered last series. Male gladiator Giant featured only in the locker room with the other Gladiators in this episode.[20]

This special episode was announced by the BBC on 7 August 2024, and was recorded in between the regular series' production.[22]

 
121"Heat 1"18 January 2025 (2025-01-18)5.388th

The heats begin. The 15 returning Gladiators face another set of contenders from all over the UK. Two new Gladiators are introduced this series – and some new events. For this series, Gladiator Nitro shifts to support his fellow colleagues due to an injury he picked up during training sessions.

The contenders for the heat are: Nathan, and Scott, Zavia and Katie. The first heat sees classical events like Duel and The Wall being played, in addition to the returning 90's classic Atlaspheres. Giant, who is so far unbeaten in the event – returns to Duel.[10]

 
132"Heat 2"25 January 2025 (2025-01-25)4.9410th

Second of the heats. The contenders for the heat are: Joe and Aman; and Nikki and Keeva. New female Gladiator, Cyclone, debuts in this episode.

Events for this heat include the classics Duel and The Wall, in addition to the renewed Gauntlet. During a round of The Edge, female contender Nikki suffered an injury upon falling from the edge with Gladiator Dynamite. She was subsequently dispatched from the competition by the medical team, and was not able to do the Eliminator – therefore putting Keeva straight through to the quarter finals. This marks the first time in the show's history where only one Eliminator is played.[26]

 
143"Heat 3"1 February 2025 (2025-02-01)5.117th

Third of the heats. A new event, a fast-paced pursuit game Unleash, is revealed. Other events include The Wall, Atlaspheres and The Ring, which is being played for the first time this series. This is the first episode of the revival series not to feature Duel. The contenders for this heat are: Lewis and Mus, and Toni and Amanda.

 
154"Heat 4"15 February 2025 (2025-02-15)4.967th

Fourth of the heats. Hang Tough event returns for the first time in this series. The contenders for the heat are: Joe and Junior, and Stacey and Poppy.

 
165"Heat 5"22 February 2025 (2025-02-22)4.9011th

The last of the heats include Duel, Hang Tough and Unleash being played. The contenders for the heat are: Nush and Andy, and Rachel and Aneila. Gladiator Giant tore his biceps on Powerball, and had to be sidelined for the rest of the series.

 
176"Quarter Final 1"1 March 2025 (2025-03-01)4.627th

New male Gladiator, Hammer, debuts in this episode. Injured Gladiator Giant is still seen in the locker room after the arm injury in heat 5. Contenders for this quarter finals are Joe from heat 2, Mus from heat 3, Zavia from heat 1 and Poppy from heat 4.

 
187"Quarter Final 2"8 March 2025 (2025-03-08)4.2111th

New event Crash Course appears in this episode. Contenders in this episode are: Joe from heat 4, Lewis from heat 3, Aneila from heat 5 and Amanda from heat 3. Lewis was the fastest runner-up for the male contenders.

 
198"Quarter Final 3"15 March 2025 (2025-03-15)4.979th

The third and final of the quarter finals. Giant featured in the show to detail his injury on Powerball he suffered in the last heat episode. This episode marks the last time The Ring is played. Contenders in this quarter final are: Nathan from heat 1, Andy from heat 5, Rachel from heat 5 as the fastest runner-up from the female contenders, and Keeva from heat 2.

 
––"Comic Relief Special"21 March 2025 (2025-03-21)2.06N/A

During the Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2025 episode, Chabuddy G took on gladiator Bionic in even Duel, and was seen doing skit in the locker room with Nitro, Diamond and other gladiators. Chabuddy was allegedly also disqualified from the arena by referee Mark Clattenburg by "stuffing heavyweight plates" inside a pugil stick to cheat in Duel.

 
209"Semi Final 1"22 March 2025 (2025-03-22)4.3412th

The first of the semi-finals. Contenders in this episode are: Joe F, Joe H, Keeva and Amanda, with Joe H qualified as the fastest runner up of the male contenders from the quarter-finals.

 
2110"Semi Final 2"5 April 2025 (2025-04-05)3.8612th

The second of the semi-finals. Contenders in this episode are: Nathan, Mus, Zavia and Aneila, with Aneila qualified as the fastest runner up of the female contenders from the quarter finals.

 
2211"The Final"12 April 2025 (2025-04-12)4.716th

The series champions are crowned at the end of this episode. events include new Unleash and Crash Course. The male contenders are Joe F and Mus and the female finalists were Aneila and Amanda. It was announced that Zavia withdrew after the injury during the semi-final with Aneila replacing her for the final.

 

Contenders progress (excluding Celebrity Special)

Colour key:

  Series champions
  Series runners-up
  The contender won the episode and advanced
  The contender was medically withdrawn from the competition
  The contender lost the episode but was the fastest finisher out of the other eliminated contenders and thus qualified
  The contender lost the episode and was eliminated
Contenders Episodes
Heats Quarter Finals Semi Finals Final
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Amanda N/a WIN N/a WIN N/a WIN N/a WINNER
Joe F. N/a WIN N/a WIN N/a WIN N/a WINNER
Mus N/a WIN N/a WIN N/a WIN RUNNER-UP
Aneila N/a WIN N/a FF N/a FF RUNNER-UP
Zavia WIN N/a WIN N/a WIN WDR
Nathan WIN N/a WIN N/a OUT N/a
Joe H. N/a WIN N/a FF N/a OUT N/a
Keeva N/a WIN N/a WIN OUT N/a
Andy N/a WIN N/a OUT N/a
Rachel N/a FF N/a OUT N/a
Lewis N/a FF N/a OUT N/a
Poppy N/a WIN N/a OUT N/a
Nush N/a OUT N/a
Junior N/a OUT N/a
Stacey N/a OUT N/a
Toni N/a OUT N/a
Aman N/a OUT N/a
Nikki N/a WDR N/a
Scott OUT N/a
Katie OUT N/a

Contender records

Records announced during the series include:

  • Heat 3: Mus set a record time of under 15 seconds to climb The Wall, a record he broke in the semi-final.[27][28]
  • Heat 4: Poppy became the first contender to complete Hang Tough and gain the full 10 points. This was matched in the same episode by Junior.[29][30] Joe F. set an unwanted record for the shortest time lasted on Duel, with 2 seconds. He then set an Eliminator Record of 1:03.[29][31]
  • Quarter Final 1: Mus set an unwanted record for the fastest time to be knocked off Collision, with 4.4 seconds.[32][33]
  • Quarter Final 2: Joe F. set a record time for gaining the full 10 points on The Edge, with 19.7 seconds.[28][34]
  • Quarter Final 4: Nathan beat Mus' Eliminator Record with 0:59.[27][35]
  • Semi Final 1: Amanda scored a record 18 points in Powerball.[36][37]
  • Semi Final 2: Mus re-took the Eliminator Record with 0:57.[38][39]
  • Final: Amanda set the women's Eliminator Record with 1:18, and Joe F. beat Mus's Eliminator Record with 0:55.[28][40][41]

Gladiator injuries

During the training sessions for the second series, Gladiator Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey) picked up a knee injury whilst training for one of the new events this season, Unleash, and was therefore forced to step out of competing in the events for the series. He was still seen in the programme, "hyping up" his fellow Gladiators and bringing the "Nitro energy" to the arena.[16][42][43]

During filming of the second series, Giant (Jamie Christian-Johal) also suffered a severe injury, as he tore his biceps during Powerball in Heat 5. Due to this, he was also sidelined for the rest of the series, but still appears on the locker room segment from the Celebrity Special onwards.[44][45] Although not seen explicitly, both Bionic (Matty Campbell) and Steel (Zack George) also suffered injuries competing in Gauntlet and Duel respectively, during Semi-Finals stage, owing to both's absence from the events of the Grand Final.[46]

References

  1. ^ Methven, Nicola (26 March 2024). "EXCLUSIVE: BBC Gladiators secures second series with bosses ready for record number of applicants". Mirror.
  2. ^ "BBC commission Gladiators for second series before this weekend's final". Yahoo! Movies. 28 March 2024.
  3. ^ "BBC Gladiators series 2 gets major update as very telling detail spotted". The Mirror. 20 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Gladiators is set to return to the BBC". BBC Media Centre.
  5. ^ "Gladiators revival 'will return for another run in 2025'". Yahoo! Movies. 17 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Gladiators season two 'confirmed' by BBC as bosses put reboot on 'big priority' list". Express. 27 March 2024.
  7. ^ Tonks, Phoebe (2 April 2024). "Bradley Walsh and son Barney's BBC Gladiators fate revealed after show renewal". Mirror.
  8. ^ a b c "GLADIATORS LINE-UP CONFIRMED FOR SECOND SERIES ON BBC ONE". TV Zone UK. 23 July 2024.
  9. ^ Darvill, Josh (4 April 2024). "Gladiators Celebrity special coming to BBC One". tellymix.co.uk.
  10. ^ a b "BBC One – Gladiators, Series 2, Episode 1". bbc.co.uk.
  11. ^ a b c "Gladiators Sheffield: TV show's maker on what to expect from next series and why they had to return to city". The Sun. 3 April 2024.
  12. ^ Evans, Alex (7 April 2024). "BBC Gladiators Diamond star makes decision on her future on show in emotional statement as fans issue plea". Leeds Live.
  13. ^ Brinsford, James (30 March 2024). "Gladiators star Giant 'given second chance' by BBC bosses despite dangerous steroid remarks". Mirror.
  14. ^ a b "Gladiators Series 2 – Meet the new additions to the Gladiators Class of 2025". BBC Media Centre. 15 January 2025.
  15. ^ "GLADIATORS: MEET CYCLONE AND HAMMER, THE TWO NEW SUPERHUMANS JOINING BBC SERIES". TV Zone UK. 15 January 2025.
  16. ^ a b @nitro_thegladiator; (2 December 2024). "During training for series 2 earlier this year, I picked up an unexpected knee injury, which means I'll be shifting gears this series and sitting out the events" – via Instagram.
  17. ^ "Frank Bruno's daughter to appear on Gladiators". Female First. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  18. ^ @bbcgladiators; (1 January 2025). "There's SO much more to come... Bring on the brand new series of #Gladiators on #iPlayer from January" – via Instagram.
  19. ^ a b "Gladiators hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh tease "tougher" series 2, the return of Atlaspheres and new event Unleash". BBC Media Centre. 14 January 2025.
  20. ^ a b "BBC One – Gladiators, Series 2, Celebrity Special". bbc.co.uk. 1 January 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Weekly Top 50 Shows". BARB. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Celebrities Ready? Rob Beckett, Louise Minchin, Joel Dommett and Ellie Taylor are taking on the Gladiators in a new Celebrity Special". BBC Media Centre. 7 August 2024.
  23. ^ "CELEBRITY GLADIATORS: FAMOUS FACES TAKING PART REVEALED". TV Zone UK. 7 August 2024.
  24. ^ Mensah, Katelyn (3 December 2024). "Celebrity Gladiators release date confirmed by BBC". radiotimes.com.
  25. ^ a b "Winners of Gladiators: Celebrity Special crowned". glasgowtimes.co.uk. 1 January 2025.
  26. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0027f5s
  27. ^ a b Gladiators - Series 2: Episode 8. Retrieved 2026-03-12 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  28. ^ a b c Gladiators - Series 2: 11. The Final. Retrieved 2026-03-12 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  29. ^ a b Gladiators - Series 2: Episode 4. Retrieved 2026-03-12 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  30. ^ "'Working in a prison is great preparation for Gladiators'". BBC News. 2025-02-16. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  31. ^ "Scarborough gym instructor breaks eliminator record on hit TV show Gladiators". The Scarborough News. 2025-02-19. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  32. ^ Gladiators - Series 2: Episode 6. Retrieved 2026-03-12 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  33. ^ "Gladiators contender claims unwanted record before reaching semi-finals". Yahoo News. 2025-03-01. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  34. ^ "Scarborough gymnastics coach smashes another record on TV show Gladiators". The Scarborough News. 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  35. ^ Duke, Simon (2025-03-15). "Sunderland's Nathan Bland breaks Gladiators record as he storms into semi final". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  36. ^ Gladiators - Series 2: Episode 9. Retrieved 2026-03-12 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  37. ^ "Amanda Wah Aims for History in Gladiators Final". MIX 56. 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  38. ^ Gladiators - Series 2: Episode 10. Retrieved 2026-03-12 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  39. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  40. ^ Leaver, Joel (2025-04-12). "Gladiators 2025 winners announced after record-breaking grand final". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  41. ^ "Gladiators final: Joe Fishburn and Amanda Wah win 2025 competition". BBC News. 2025-04-12. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  42. ^ "Gladiators star Nitro drops out of series 2 with injury". Yahoo! News. 3 December 2024.
  43. ^ "Celebrity Gladiator special on New Year's Day - are you ready?". Newsround. BBC. 30 December 2024.
  44. ^ Cite error: The named reference celebbbc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  45. ^ @giantthegladiator; (15 March 2025). "Guys, I'm sad to say because of my injury I won't be competing in events for the remainder of the series. Gutted is an understatement! But you'll still see me supporting my fellow Gladiators for the rest of the series. I just want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone for your support, you guys are amazing! 🙌 Giant will be back bigger and stronger than ever before… 💪" – via Instagram.
  46. ^ "Gladiators - Series 2: 11. The Final". BBC iPlayer.
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