Gladiators referee John Anderson has reportedly left more than £400,000 in his will – which also included a hefty donation to his memorial charity.
The Scottish sports coach turned TV personality, who died aged 92 in July after a 70-year career in sports, bequeathed most of his fortune to his beloved wife Dorothy.
John reportedly left a total of £411,314 including property, possessions and TV royalties from hundreds of reruns. He signed his final will in June 2022 and appointed two pals as executors, The Sun reports.
Most of his personal items, including the couple’s home in Market Hanborough, Leics, were left to his loyal wife Dorothy.
Other funds were sent to a memorial foundation to be set up in his memory, with a direction that once his wife dies, the money is used for poverty relief and community development.
John, who appeared in the Gladiators series from its 1992 debut until 2000 with a brief return in 2008, became famous for his now iconic catchphrase ‘Contenders ready, Gladiators ready’
Gladiators referee John Anderson has reportedly left more than £400,000 in his will – which also includes a hefty donation to his memorial charity (pictured in 2008)
The Scottish sports coach turned TV personality, who died aged 92 in July after a 70-year career in sports, bequeathed most of his fortune to his beloved wife Dorothy (pictured 1993)
After hearing the news of his passing earlier this year, the show’s official X account said in a statement: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved referee, John Anderson, at the age of 92.’
‘Our hearts go out to his friends and family. John will forever be remembered as the iconic voice that brought “Gladiators Ready! Contenders Ready!”.’
As well his TV career Glaswegian-born John also trained numerous Olympian runners including Dave Moorcroft who broke the 5000m record in 1982.
John also coached silver medalist Liz McColgan as well as Commonwealth heptathlete Judy Simpson, who would go on to appear as Gladiator Nightshade.
Paying tribute Dave told Athletics Weekly: ‘I can’t speak too highly of John, he turned water into wine.’
‘He would die for his athletes and he never took a step backwards. He was a fighter in everything he did. He coached me from the age of 16 and never took a penny. It cost him a fortune for the privilege of working for nothing.’
Meanwhile, fans rushed to X, formerly Twitter, to pay their condolences writing: ‘Sad news tonight that the original Referee of Gladiators John Anderson has died. A true icon of the show and will be fondly remembered by all Gladiators Fans. RIP John and thanks for the memories X.’
‘Sad news he was the original ref of the show such a legend RIP John Anderson’: ‘RIP john Anderson to everyone one who watched you in the old gladiators and the second reboot you was a massive part to our child hood and will forever be in our hearts. hope you have it easy where ever you are now, and keep that voice in our minds.’
John reportedly left a total of £411,314 including property, possessions and TV royalties from hundreds of reruns. He signed his final will in June 2022 and appointed two pals as executors (pictured in 2008)
John, who appeared in the Gladiators series from its 1992 debut (pictured) until 2000 with a brief return in 2008, became famous for his iconic catchphrase ‘Contenders ready, Gladiators ready’
Gladiators, which was presented by Ulrika Jonsson, John Fashanu and later Jeremy Guscott, first hit screens on 10 October 1992, with the series comprising of contestants fighting against a Gladiator.
Aiming for as many points as they could, the contestant with the highest number of points got a headstart in The Eliminator assault course with every point being worth a second. The winner of The Eliminator would then complete in the next round.
Originally ending in 2000, Gladiators was later revived by Sky1 and aired in 2008 for a year, before being cancelled in May 2009.
The physically challenging game show was then resurrected a second time by BBC in January 2023, 32 years after its original ITV launch.
And now Gladiators is returning with a celebrity spin-off after the rebooted show became a ratings smash.
The celebrity special will air on BBC One and iPlayer from 6pm on New Year’s Day.
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