BIONIC AND ATHENA 'DROPPED' FROM GLADIATORS LINE-UP AS FOURTH SERIES BEGINS FILMING, NEW FEMALE GLADIATORS REVEALED

Gladiators starts Bionic and Athena have reportedly joined Giant in being dropped from Gladiators line-up. Reports from set filming also suggest another two Gladiators have been dropped, though these rumours are yet to be verified.

Gladiators Ready! The nation’s favourite test of power, speed and sheer determination will return to the BBC in 2027, alongside an all‑new Gladiators Celebrity Special.

Sheffield arena will once again roar to life for Series 4 and promises to push competitors harder than ever, as they take on the might of the Gladiators. Bradley and Barney Walsh will be back at the helm, guiding viewers through another series of high‑stakes challenges, dramatic showdowns and unforgettable Saturday‑night moments.

Three-time World's Strongest Man champion, Tom Stoltman, has joined the superhuman Gladiators cast as Highlander, alongside Florence Wong who joins as new Gladiators Huntress. Reports from audience members suggest a second female Gladiator has joined the line-up and at least two existing Gladiators are out due to injury.

The Sun newspaper reports former Rugby ace and The Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler is 'in talks' to appear in the next series as a guest Gladiator.

A new event revealed in due course, will join iconic classics Duel, Hang Tough and The Eliminator, while last year’s additions Everest, Destruction and Suspension Bridge return after proving a hit with fans. And in a special one‑off episode, four fearless celebrities will enter the arena to see whether they can withstand the pressure and claim victory.

Made by Hungry Bear Media and MGM Alternative UK, a division of Amazon MGM Studios, Gladiators continues to be a cornerstone of weekend entertainment. The most recent series drew in an impressive 4.6 million viewers on average across 28 days on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, and the show continues to be a massive hit with younger viewers.

Kalpna Patel‑Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, says: “Since Gladiators burst back onto screens in 2024, it’s been amazing to see families across the UK rally behind the contenders and champion our phenomenal Gladiators as the true stars of Saturday nights. With a brand‑new series confirmed and another Celebrity Special on the way, audiences can look forward to even more colossal clashes, even more edge of your seat excitement and plenty of opportunities to raise those foam fingers high once again.”

Dan Baldwin, Managing Director of Hungry Bear Media says: “We are immensely proud to welcome Gladiators back to its rightful home on the BBC. This year is bigger, bolder, it’s more gruelling, and it’s going to be spectacular! We have some huge surprises for the audience. The countdown begins now…”

Gladiators (11 x 60’) and Gladiators Celebrity Special (1 x 60’) are a Hungry Bear and MGM Alternative UK, a division of Amazon MGM Studios, production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and were commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC.