GLADIATORS has returned to screens for a reboot over two decades after the last episode of the original series aired.
The competition show premiered on ITV back in 1992, and was briefly brought back by Sky in 2008, but has now been picked up by the BBC and is hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son Barney.
Where are the Gladiators cast now?
The original Gladiators ran for eight seasons and was presented by Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu.
On the game show, the Gladiators would be pitted against contestants in a variety of physical challenges such as the Hang Tough or the Duel.
The new iteration of the show features a brand new cast, including Fire, Fury, Diamond and Phantom.
But the return of the iconic series has some fans questioning where the original Gladiators are now.
Lightning – Kim Betts
16
Kim Betts, better known as Lightning, was the only female Gladiator to stay for the whole course of the show.
She appeared in series one to eight and became a bodybuilder after the show ended.
Her athletic career started at age six when she was accepted into the Lichfield Olympic Gymnastic Club.
Lightning, born Christmas Day 1971, has built a loyal following on Instagram, who she shows off her still-fit physique to.
She appeared in the beloved ITV programme from 1992 until 2000 and was branded “one of the toughest and most determined”.
Kim that she gave birth to her baby boy Lexus just three weeks before competing in the penultimate series of the show.
She is now a mum of two, runs multiple businesses (including a beauty parlour and fishery) and lives on a farm with her husband and children.
Cobra – Michael Wilson
16
Another long running Gladiators cast member was former boxer Michael Wilson, who took to the arena as Cobra and stayed with the show from start to finish.
The original cast member regularly showed off by doing the splits and kicking his legs up high in the air.
But Michael’s time as Cobra was not easy for the star, and he has since shared that he would turn up drunk and nearly got fired from the show.
Since the programme ended, Michael has avoided the spotlight and lives in the West Midlands.
The star, born October 29, 1963, became seriously ill in a Kent hospital in 2019.
The Sun reported at the time that he was suffering from pneumonia, pleurisy and a ruptured bicep.
He also suffered a rupture in his shoulder and couldn’t raise his arm.
Michael was then admitted to hospital with severe acute pancreatitis – a cripplingly painful condition where your pancreas swells up – and needed two new hips.
The star said of his medical woes: “I’m only half a Gladiator now. It’s been touch and go. I don’t feel like I’m kicking the bucket at the minute, but it will only take another cold or cough and I’m in trouble.
“I’m isolated in my own ward. It goes to show – you never know what’s round the corner.”
Luckily, he appears to have since recovered and has returned to work as a motivational speaker.
Jet – Diane Youdale
16
Fan favourite Jet, real name Diane Youdale, was born on February 13, 1970 in Teesside, England.
She starred on Gladiators from 1992 to 1996.
Diane had trained as a choreographer before she became a Gladiator and release a single in 1994.
In 1996, she exited the show after suffering a 40ft fall in the Pole Axe stunt, crushing her nose after she hit the airbags.
She later told the Gladpod podcast: “My knees literally went into my face and I broke my nose… I had heard the crack, and I could see my nose out of my left eye.”
Diane retired from Gladiators and went on to star on TV shows, present dance shows and train as a psychiatrist.
Ace – Warren Furman
16
Not much is known about Warren Furman before his Gladiator stint, other than that he was born on July 3, 1972, in Doncaster.
Known as Ace on the show, he a starred from 1996 to 2000 and has opened up about his steroid abuse during his time on the series.
In the late 90s he dated and got engaged to model Katie Price, while she was still going by her pseudonym Jordan.
These days he is a devoted Christian and evangelist, visiting schools and sharing his story and struggles.
In 2017, his co-star James Crossley claimed that finding God saved Warren’s life.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun Online at The Guide Dog Awards, James said: “Ace is now a Christian, he’s turned to God.
“He had some quite horrific things happen in his life, really horrific, so it was either that or probably he wouldn’t be around now.”
Hunter – James Crossley
16
Hunter – who’s real name is James Crossley – was the youngest Gladiator to be recruited for the show, joining at the tender age of 19.
He appeared on the show in its second series and continued until its end in 2000.
Crossley hit the headlines after dating the show’s host Ulrika Jonsson, who was around 25 at the time.
The pair strongly denied their relationship but it was finally revealed in Jonsson’s 2003 autobiography.
Bodybuilder Crossley appeared in the 2008 reboot Gladiators.
He is also an actor and has toured in numerous theatre productions, including Sir Peter Hall’s As You Like It.
In May 2018, James broke the world record for lifting the Dinnie Stones in Aberdeenshire.
He also appeared on The Circle in 2021, catfishing as an NHS nurse named Gemma.
Panther – Helen O’ Reilly
16
Helen O’Reilly, born October 14, 1961, competed on Gladiators as Panther.
The star began as a contestant in bodybuilding competitions and has reigned as Miss Central Britain, Miss Europe, Miss North Britain, Miss England, Miss World, Miss Great Britain, Miss Russia and Miss Universe.
Panther suffered one of the show’s more shocking injuries, seriously hurting her neck and back after falling headfirst during the Tilt event.
Since leaving the show O’Reilly has continued to pursue her passion for fitness, setting up Panther’s Gym in Uxbridge with her husband.
Helen has largely shunned the spotlight since the cameras stopped rolling, only picking up one credit for the compilation programme When Gameshows Go Horribly Wrong.
Saracen – Mike Lewis
16
Mike Lewis, born August 30, 1963, tried out for Gladiators with his then-girlfriend, and now-wife, Chrissie in 1992.
He joined the team as Saracen and stayed for the entire run of the original show.
After the show ended, Lewis joined the fire brigade for South London.
He has also made appearances on various daytime telly shows, including This Morning.
Mike also proved he was still nimble as he tackled the tough Ninja Warrior course in 2015 at the age of 52.
Rhino – Mark Smith
16
Mark was born in Acton, London, on September 30, 1969.
Since the end of Gladiators the star, who competed as Rhino, has moved to Los Angeles, where he produces and stars in films.
He has appeared in blockbusters such as Batman Begins, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Ben Affleck‘s political thriller Argo.
Smith has also dabbled in voice work, acting as Office McHorn in the 2016 film Zootopia.
The dad-of-three is often credited as Rhino in his work and most recently appeared in episodes of Criminal Minds, NCIS and Agents of Shield.
Nightshade – Judy Simpson
16
One of the Olympic Gladiators is Judy Simpson, better known as Nightshade.
Born November 14, 1960, she competed in three Olympic heptathlons.
She also achieved gold at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, along with bronze and silver in other years.
Between 1993 and 1996 Simpson appeared as Nightshade in Gladiators.
Since leaving the show she has continued to work in the fitness industry, has become a sporting ambassador, and is an honorary president of the Women’s Sports Federation.
Wolf – Mike Van Wijk
16
Big bad Wolf, Mike Van Wijk had an intimidating stare and was a professional bodybuilder.
He was born in Bombay, India on September 30, 1952, but has now moved to New Zealand to open a chain of gyms there.
Wolf also appears on the Kiwi cage fighting scene on occasion.
The Gladiator stayed on the show for the entire eight seasons and is one of the most recognisable and popular of the cast.
Wolf returned to the 2008 Gladiator revamp where his standing ovation on entering the arena is said to have lasted five minutes, holding up the filming.
Amazon – Sharron Davies
16
Unlike many of her co-stars, Sharron Davies isn’t most famous for her role in Gladiators, as she only appeared in one season as Amazon.
The swimmer is best known for having competed in three Olympic Games, winning silver medal in the 400-metre individual medley at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.
The Team GB athlete and gold medal-winner has also worked as a TV presenter since retiring from sport.
Davies, born November 1, 1962, has hosted The Big Breakfast, Superstars and provided commentary for the Olympics.
Sharron has not left competitions behind her as she has been seen battling it out against other celebrities on Dancing On Ice and The Island with Bear Grylls.
Predator – Du’aine Ladejo
16
London-born athlete Du’aine Ladejo is best known for winning the 400 metres sprint at the 1994 European Championships.
He also competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, winning bronze and silver respectively in the 4x 400m relay.
Many fans will also remember him for his role on Gladiators, where he played Predator.
When the series ended, he competed on BBC sports show Superstars, taking home the crown in 2004, and also appeared on Celebrity Love Island in 2005.
Du’aine, born Valentines Day 1971, is no longer regularly in front of the camera but is the creator of the show Australia‘s Greatest Athlete.
Zodiac – Kate Staples
16
Former British pole vaulter Kate Staples battled it out on Gladiators under the alias Zodiac from series two to five.
The athletic TV regular was best known for smashing speed and agility events, including Pendulum, Skytrak and Pursuit.
After suffering a serious fall on Pole Axe in 1996, Kate took on a less prominent role.
She had a daughter with fellow Gladiator Mark Griffin before marrying rugby player Chris Sheasby, who she had two more children with.
They separated in 2011 before finalising the divorce five years later.
Zodiac now runs adventure boot camps with ex-GB athlete Daley Thompson.
Falcon – Bernadette Hunt
16
Falcon, whose real name was Bernadette Hunt, joined Gladiators after training as a ballerina and an aerobics teacher.
She made her debut on the show’s second series in 1993 and stayed on until series eight in 1999.
Falcon also appeared on International Gladiators between 1994 and 1995, as well as three live shows.
She was considered the “nicest Gladiator” by many fans, and had the Queen song Breakthru as her theme while she was on the show.
Gladiator fans were left heartbroken when Hunt died in March 2023 after a long cancer battle.
She was 59 years old.
Referee John Anderson
16
The unforgettable words, “Contenders, you will go on my first whistle. Gladiators, you will go on my second whistle. 3… 2… 1…” still ring in the ears of many a Gladiators fan.
Living legend John Anderson acted as the show’s iconic referee and was a beloved member of the Gladiators cast.
The Scottish star’s background is in coaching and he has worked as a teacher and coach for Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games athletes.
He famously coached an Olympic athlete at every games from 1964 to 2000.
Anderson, who turned 92 in November 2023, is now retired.