TOM STOLTMAN JOINS BBC's GLADIATORS AS SHOW RETURNS FOR FOURTH SERIES AND CELEBRITY SPECIAL

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.

The show will also see a new Gladiator join the team - World's Strongest Man champion Tom Stoltman. Stoltman, whose Gladiator name has not been announced, joins the show following the departure of Giant, who was dropped from the line-up following revelations about his relationship with an Onlyfans model.

Tom said (via The Sun): "This is a dream opportunity and I’m incredibly proud to become a Gladiator. I’ve spent my whole life pushing myself to see what I can achieve, and joining this incredible show is the next challenge. I’m excited to bring my strength, determination and personality to the arena but, most importantly, I want people watching to feel inspired to believe in themselves and take on their own challenges."

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.