Four famous faces are preparing to compete in the BBC spin-off Celebrity Gladiators.
On Wednesday, BBC confirmed Rob Beckett, 38, Louise Minchin, 55, Joel Dommett, 39, and Ellie Taylor, 40, will be taking on the gruelling challenge in a special episode.
The physically challenging game-show was resurrected by the broadcasting giant in January, 32-years after its original ITV launch and 16-years after Sky One scrapped an earlier revival.
After it proved a success, it was confirmed a celebrity version of the programme was being worked on.
Three years since she left BBC Breakfast, it’s unlikely Louise ever imagined appearing on the physically and mentally tough challenge.
Four famous faces are preparing to compete in the BBC spin-off Celebrity Gladiators
On Wednesday, BBC confirmed Rob Beckett, 38, Louise Minchin (pictured), 55, Joel Dommett, 39, and Ellie Taylor, 40, will be taking on the gruelling challenge in a special episode
The physically challenging game-show was resurrected by the broadcasting giant in January, 32-years after its original ITV launch and 16-years after Sky One scrapped an earlier revival
After it proved a success, it was confirmed a celebrity version of the programme was being worked on (Ellie Taylor pictured)
Ahead of her stint, Louise said: ‘I am so excited to be on Gladiators, I have watched the show for years and have always thought it looked like terrifying fun and I can’t wait to be part of it!’
Meanwhile, comedian Rob is feeling the nerves ahead of the show as he admitted he is going to be ‘a catastrophic humiliation’.
He said: ‘I can’t wait to be absolutely crushed by the Gladiators in front my wife and children in spandex whilst I watch Joel Dommett and his 6 pack sprint past me on the travelator.
‘This is going to be a catastrophic humiliation in front of the nation. I’ve got no idea why I agreed to this. Is it too late to pull out?’
Sharing his excitement, TV presenter Joel said: ‘I can’t believe I’m taking part in Gladiators! It’s always been my dream to be on that travelator.
‘I’ve been illegally running up escalators backwards all my life in preparation and now it’s happening for real.
‘Super excited to be up against all my favourite muscley people in leotards and have some fun!’
Ted Lasso star Ellie added: ‘Me being on Celeb Gladiators is the answer to the question “What’s the most elaborate thing you’d do to get your 5-year-old a foam finger?”
The rebooted show became the most successful launch for an entertainment show on the BBC in seven years, with an average 8.3million viewers watchi
ng across the entire eleven episodes
The popular game show was originally broadcast on ITV from 1992 to 2000 before returning for a single series on Sky One in 2008 (host Ulrika Jonsson with some of the cast in 1994)
After it proved a success, it was confirmed a celebrity version of the programme was being worked on
‘We all love the show in my house and I’m so excited to take part! I can’t wait to get chased by athletic goddesses and ask Viper about his childhood.’
In April, it was confirmed that Gladiators was set for a return to the BBC with a celebrity spin-off after the rebooted show became a ratings smash.
Its arrival on the prime time Saturday night schedule proved to be a ratings winner for the BBC, with 28 day viewing figures revealing 9.8million tuned in for the first episode.
The sizeable audience share turned it into the most successful launch for an entertainment show on the BBC in seven years, with an average 8.3million viewers watching across the entire eleven episodes.
Its success means Gladiators will return with a second series that is expected to include at least one celebrity-led version of the show, typically contested by members of the public, in 2025.
‘I can reveal we are going to do a celebrity special,’ Executive Producer and Hungry Bear Media Managing Director Dan Baldwin, husband of TV presenter Holly Willoughby, told Radio 4.
‘You always look at old shows that are no longer on television. You are always coming up with new ways of bringing back a show.’
He 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?!?’
The popular game show was originally broadcast on ITV from 1992 to 2000, before returning for a single series on Sky One in 2008.
