BBC Gladiators Returns for Third Series with New ‘Destruction’ Event and Star-Studded Cast

The highly anticipated third series of BBC’s ‘Gladiators’ makes its spectacular return this weekend, premiering on Saturday, January 17th, at 5:45 PM GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Hosted once again by the charismatic father-and-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh, the new season is set to deliver an electrifying blend of raw athleticism, intense competition, and inspiring personal stories, promising a fresh wave of excitement for both long-time fans and new viewers.

This series marks a significant evolution for the beloved programme, introducing a brand-new, adrenaline-pumping event titled ‘Destruction.’ Billed as ‘fast and fierce,’ this challenge sees contenders charge down their own lane, confronting four gigantic 8ft barriers. The objective is to be the first to smash through these formidable obstacles and slam a final button to claim victory. The barriers themselves demand varied approaches: some require sheer body power, another necessitates a battering ram, and one must be conquered by climbing. This innovative addition aims to test the contenders’ strength, speed, and strategic prowess in unprecedented ways, ensuring a truly jaw-dropping spectacle for audiences.

A New Era of Challenges: The ‘Destruction’ Event and Returning Classics

The introduction of ‘Destruction’ has already generated considerable buzz, with hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh highlighting its unique intensity. Bradley Walsh commented on the new events, stating, ‘There are definitely a few surprises in store, with some unbelievable edge of your seat moments. We’ve got three new events that really raise the stakes, testing both the Gladiators and Contenders in completely different ways.’ Early fan reactions on social media platform X have been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers praising the event’s demanding nature, describing it as ‘exhausting to watch’ yet ‘love it.’

Alongside this thrilling new challenge, the series will also see the return of classic fan-favourite events that have defined ‘Gladiators’ for decades. Audiences can look forward to the strategic intensity of Gauntlet, the explosive power of Powerball, the head-to-head combat of Duel, and the ultimate test of endurance and agility in the notorious Eliminator showdown. These traditional events, combined with the fresh dynamism of ‘Destruction,’ ensure that the third series offers a comprehensive and thrilling athletic spectacle.

The Powerhouse Roster: Meet the Gladiators of Series 3

The success of ‘Gladiators’ hinges on its formidable cast of superhuman athletes, and Series 3 boasts an exceptional lineup of nine male and nine female Gladiators, many of whom are Olympic winners and professional sports stars. Each brings a unique blend of strength, skill, and personality to the arena:

• Apollo (Alex Gray): A 33-year-old from County Durham, Apollo’s impressive sporting journey includes playing rugby at Premiership level and for the England 7s squad, as well as a stint in the NFL. He aims to inspire as Apollo, leading from the front with a never-give-up attitude.
• Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains): At 28, this Warwickshire native is a celebrated powerlifter. Athena proudly represents diverse backgrounds, especially women, hoping to be a role model and demonstrate the heights female athletes can achieve.
• Bionic (Matty Campbell): The towering 6ft 6in, 29-year-old from Middlesborough embarked on bodybuilding after a car crash left him temporarily unable to walk, proving a testament to his resilience.
• Comet (Ella-Mae Rayner): A 30-year-old from Hertfordshire, Comet quickly won over viewers despite suffering a significant injury (broken ankle and foot, dislocated bone, ruptured ligaments) during the first series, making her return highly anticipated.
• Cyclone (Lystus Ebosele): The 23-year-old from Wexford is the first Irish Gladiator, known for her confident declaration: ‘I’ve got the look, I’ve got the energy, and I’ve got the muscles.’
• Diamond (Livi Sheldon): A 31-year-old from Worcestershire, Diamond embraces her unique height, transforming what was once a source of teasing into her superpower in the arena.
• Dynamite (Emily Steel): As the youngest participant at 22, this Manchester native has a background in national-level competitive swimming, encouraged by her avid fan parents to audition.
• Electro (Jade Packer): The 27-year-old from Essex hopes her role as Electro will ‘spark an unstoppable pursuit for a new generation of athletes,’ ready to light up the arena with her energy.
• Fire (Montell Douglas): A 39-year-old Londoner, Fire is a former Team GB Sprinter and Olympic Bobsledder. She holds the British women’s record for the 100m sprint (11.05 seconds) and was a contestant on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in 2024.
• Fury (Jodie Ounsley): From West Yorkshire, the 24-year-old is a professional rugby player for Exeter Chiefs, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu British Champion, and a five-time World Coal Carrying title holder. She also participated in last year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Christmas special, following a personal tragedy.
• Giant (Jamie Bigg): The 40-year-old from Nottingham, standing at 6ft 5in, was a firefighter before becoming an IFBB Pro League professional bodybuilder, one of the sport’s tallest competitors.
• Hammer (Tom Wilson): Another Nottingham native, the 33-year-old is an accomplished rower, claiming gold at the 2024 British Rowing Indoor Championships and multiple other medals. He describes himself as ‘a hard hitter who’s not only a massive unit but quick and explosive.’
• Legend (Matt Morsia): A 39-year-old from Kent, Legend boasts a substantial YouTube following and an intensive fitness regime. Known for his confident, almost arrogant persona, he remarked, ‘I’m called Legend for a reason!’
• Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey): This 37-year-old London sprinter has an impressive collection of Commonwealth and World Championship gold medals. He was the first athlete to win gold at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships and was named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year at 17. He also graced the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ floor.
• Phantom (Toby Olubi): The 38-year-old Londoner represented Team GB in Bobsleigh at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, where his squad set a world record by achieving 97 mph. For him, being a Gladiator is a dream come true, inspired by the 90s superheroes.
• Sabre (Sheli McCoy): A 37-year-old from Dundee, Sheli is a five-time British Weightlifting Championship competitor and international CrossFit athlete, dedicated to representing strong women and inspiring the younger generation.
• Steel (Zack George): The 35-year-old from Leicestershire was crowned UK’s Fittest Man in 2020 and achieved an impressive 26th place worldwide on the CrossFit leaderboard. He hopes to be a ‘strong, unbreakable hero’ for a new generation.
• Viper (Quang Luong): This 36-year-old from Surrey, who claims he was ‘born’ for the Gladiator role, has dedicated 15 years to fitness, also working as a fitness model and featuring as a soldier in a James Bond film.

Behind the Scenes: Injuries and Inspiring Journeys

The intensity of the challenges in ‘Gladiators’ comes with inherent risks, and commentator Guy Mowbray noted that this year’s series was ‘particularly brutal,’ featuring ‘a lot of spills and thrills.’ During the filming of Series 3 in the summer of 2025, four Gladiators unfortunately sustained significant injuries: Legend (Matt Morsia) suffered a torn tendon in his arm, Bionic (Matty Campbell) sustained a shoulder injury, Diamond (Livi Sheldon) faced knee and leg injuries, including an ACL tear, and Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains) experienced a severe knee injury. These incidents underscore the immense physical demands placed upon the athletes.

Beyond the high-stakes competition, ‘Gladiators’ continues to be a platform for inspiring personal stories. Joe Fishburn, the reigning men’s champion from the 2025 series, shared how his win gave him a ‘small platform’ to inspire others, particularly youngsters from unconventional childhoods. Fishburn, a Team GB gymnast who grew up with his grandmother after his mother’s passing, now serves as an ambassador for the Kinship charity, which supports carers and guardians. His journey exemplifies the show’s ability to highlight resilience and positive impact.

A Legacy Revived: Gladiators’ Enduring Appeal

The current BBC reboot of ‘Gladiators,’ filmed in Sheffield’s Utilita Arena, follows the original ITV series that captivated audiences between 1992 and 2000. The BBC’s revival successfully launched in 2024, with Finlay Anderson and Marie-Louise Nicholson crowned champions of Series 1. The second series, which aired in 2025, saw Joe Fishburn and Amanda Wah claim the respective titles, further cementing the show’s renewed popularity. The continuous evolution of events, combined with a diverse and highly skilled roster of Gladiators, ensures the programme remains fresh and engaging for its broad audience.

The BBC’s sustained commitment to ‘Gladiators,’ marked by its emphasis on diverse, high-calibre athletes and the introduction of new, physically demanding events like ‘Destruction,’ reflects a strategic effort to evolve the format while preserving its fundamental appeal. This thoughtful amalgamation of nostalgic reverence and innovative challenge is designed to captivate a wide demographic, ranging from dedicated long-time fans to new viewers, by celebrating both raw athleticism and profound personal resilience.