GLADIATORS: FULL TRAILER RELEASED AHEAD OF SECOND SERIES THIS JANUARY

Gladiators, the most exciting and iconic sports entertainment show, made by Hungry Bear Media, will return to the BBC over the festive period for a celebrity special followed by a second series in the New Year.

The hotly anticipated show gripped the nation and quickly became the biggest entertainment launch for a new series in seven years with 28 day figures showing that 9.8m viewers watched the first episode, with the series averaging 8.3 million viewers.

Confirmed to return are all sixteen Gladiators - Sabre, Legend, Nitro, Diamond, Phantom, Athena, Bionic, Fire, Giant, Dynamite, Viper, Electro, Apollo, Comet, Steel and Fury. Next series will welcome two brand new Gladiators, with the BBC keeping their identities underwraps.

All quickly become household names as viewers cheered on their favourites as they competed against Contenders in iconic events such as Duel and Powerball, culminating in the iconic Eliminator.

The brave celebrities taking on the Gladiators in the one-off special are stand up comedian Rob Beckett, TV presenter and triathlete Louise Minchin, presenter and comedian Joel Dommett, and Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor. The fearless four will face the ultimate test of speed and strength up against the power of the Gladiators before going head to head in the iconic Eliminator.

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 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?!?”

Dom Bird, SVP, MGM Alternative, International says: “It's been incredible to see Gladiators re-igniting the excitement that this show has always delivered on Saturday nights in the UK. We are delighted a second series has been confirmed for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and we can’t wait to get back into the arena with our partners at Hungry Bear Media and the BBC.” 

Gladiators (11 x 60’) is a Hungry Bear Media and MGM Alternative UK production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.