BBC commission Gladiators for second series before this weekend's final
'Gladiators' has officially been commissioned for a second series.
The BBC's reboot of the iconic sports entertainment gameshow - which originally aired on ITV in the 1990s - has proven to be hugely popular with an average of 8.3 million viewers for the comeback run thus far, and now the broadcaster has confirmed it will be back for another run on BBC One.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, said: “'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.”
The show is hosted by father-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh - with both set to return next year - while Gladiators like Sabre, Legend, Nitro, Phantom, Fire, Giant, Dynamite, Viper and Comet have become household names.
BBC will be bringing more adrenaline fuelled action to screens in 2025 with iconic events like Duel and Powerball before the climactic Eliminator.
Dan Baldwin, Managing Director Hungry Bear Media, added: “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?!?”
And Dom Bird - SVP, MGM Alternative, International - said: “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.”
The 'Gladiators' final airs on Saturday, March 30 at 5.50pm on BBC One and iPlayer, with information to follow about tickets to the upcoming Sheffield Utilita Arena tapings for series two.