Gladiators confirmed for second series ahead of upcoming grand final

Virgin Radio

28 Mar 2024, 15:38

TV viewers. Are you ready? Saturday nights are set to carry on pulling a punch as a second series of Gladiators has been confirmed and will be battling its way back onto the small screen.

The revamped action-packed show which is about to end with a finale bang, will be heading back to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for a second instalment fronted by dad and son duo, Bradley and Barney Walsh.

The series pulled in an average 8.3 million viewers and will see the return of superhuman Gladiators Sabre, Legend, Nitro, Diamond, Phantom, Athena, Bionic, Fire, Giant, Dynamite, Viper, Electro, Apollo, Comet, Steel and Fury.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC says: “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.”       

Dan Baldwin, Managing Director of Hungry Bear Media says: “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. Series 2 will see the show go from strength-to-strength. We have some amazing surprises in store for the fans. Are you ready?!?”      

Speaking at the Royal Television Society awards, the BBC’s director general Tim Davie told audiences that Gladiators is one of the broadcaster’s “big priorities”.

He explained: “We will, despite budget pressures, prioritise big national occasions - from the Coronation, Eurovision, the Proms and Glastonbury, to the Olympics and the Euros, or Strictly or Gladiators, Children in Need or even that great drama: Election Night.”

A source said: “Everyone is delighted that Gladiators has won over a new generation of fans.

“Are we ready for a second outing? You bet we are.”

Gladiators’ finale episode airs this Saturday (30th March) at 5.50pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.