The format, for the unfamiliar, sees ultra-fit members of the public pitted against a roster of lycra-clad powerlifters, bodybuilders, CrossFit champions and Olympic veterans – a posse of He-Mans and She-Ras with sleeve tattoos. These are the Gladiators of the title, larger-than-life figures with gleaming costumes, bulging muscles, trademark poses and one-word nicknames – Electro, Phantom, Hammer…
The Gladiators are larger-than-life with gleaming costumes, bulging muscles, trademark poses and one-word nicknames, like Phantom (Photo: Graeme Hunter/Hungry Bear/BBC)
Despite being an extremely silly show about huge people with wacky names hitting slightly smaller people off platforms, it’s the most positive, life-affirming thing on television. The spirit, sportsmanship and determination on display week after week is a wonderful thing. An injured, knackered, winded contender crossing the finishing line (well, swinging through the finishing banner on a rope), and using the last bit of energy they have to cheer on their opponent, is a genuinely inspiring sight.
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The Gladiators themselves are (mostly) charming, beating the hell out of people then sincerely complimenting them on how well they took it. Jodie “Fury” Ounsley will snarlingly tackle a contender off a nine-metre platform, but somehow transform back into her kind, smiley self mid-air and immediately check on her victim’s welfare. It’s an upbeat beating-up.
Even defeat brings positivity to the arena. Zack “Steel” George, once named the UK’s fittest man, had a few clumsy rounds this series, but accepted his defeats with grace and humility. He talks openly about his desire to inspire younger viewers by taking responsibility for his mistakes, despite any frustrations. Jamie “Giant” Christian-Johal – a man with thighs so massive they’re in different council tax bands – had to pull out of filming mid-series due to injury. When he returned, briefly, a few episodes later for an update on his healing, the crowd went nuts and he was choking back tears. A guy the size of a space shuttle crying at how nice everyone’s being: hell yeah.
The panto-villain petulance and 70s pro-wrestling swagger is all part of the fun (Photo: Graeme Hunter/Hungry Bear/BBC)
Only half the Gladiators do this, of course. The other half are all panto-villain petulance and 70s pro-wrestling swagger. There’s temper tantrums, outlandish boasts, self-aggrandising poetry, and dropping people in bins. (It’s awesome.) But all the cartoon-like bad behaviour – Legend’s incredible bragging, Viper’s perma-scowl, Cyclone’s smack-talk – just works to underline the positivity of everything else.
Sure, inevitably anytime anyone else comes into the room when you’re watching it, there’ll be a lingering slow-motion close-up on a rippling pair of flawless buttocks and you’ll look like a tremendous saddo. But it’s worth it – an uplifting, inspiring experience in which everyone’s a champion and dreams come true. As a combination of family-friendly entertainment and blows to the head, it’ll never be equalled unless someone commissions Strictly Come Bare-Knuckle Fighting.
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