The new series of Gladiators delivered another thrilling instalment on Saturday, featuring a record-breaking victory and a contentious moment that saw one of its stars receive an official warning for breaking the rules. Hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son Barney, the episode showcased a fresh batch of contestants fiercely competing for coveted quarter-final places.
Controversy in the Duel Arena
Mere minutes into the iconic Duel event, referee Mark Clattenburg was compelled to intervene as Gladiator Cyclone faced off against contender Emily. During their intense head-to-head battle on the podium, Clattenburg repeatedly instructed Cyclone to 'stop pushing' as Emily struggled to maintain her balance.
'No pushing,' Clattenburg declared firmly as the confrontation escalated. Within seconds, he intervened again, stating 'No pushing, Cyclone, no pushing.' After receiving her third warning from the referee, Cyclone appeared visibly rattled and ultimately failed to dislodge Emily from the platform.
A Historic Achievement
Emily's performance proved remarkable as she managed to stay upright throughout the entire Duel duration, becoming the first competitor in Gladiators' history to successfully complete the challenging event without falling. Following her unprecedented victory, an elated Emily revealed to host Bradley Walsh that Cyclone had attempted psychological warfare before their match.
'At the start she told me, 'you've already lost,' and she was barking in my face,' Emily recounted. 'But, I don't remember that loss.'
Cyclone responded defiantly to the defeat, warning Emily 'If you make it to the quarters, I'll be there,' before storming off the stage in apparent frustration. Emily's successful evening continued as she later triumphed in the famous Eliminator event, securing her advancement to the next competition round.
Police Encounter with Legend
In a separate development earlier this week, Gladiators star Legend found himself in an unusual situation when police officers interrupted their duties to request a photograph with him. A video captured the surreal moment when uniformed officers, who were actively detaining a handcuffed individual, paused their official responsibilities to approach the Gladiator for a snapshot.
The footage shows Matt Morsia, who portrays Legend on the show, obliging the officer's request while a man in a bright orange jacket remains restrained nearby, observing the interaction. Another officer stood beside the detained individual during this unexpected exchange.
The clip concludes with Morsia returning to his waiting family while wearing a visibly perplexed expression. A caption accompanying the video humorously noted 'When you're mid-arrest but need a quick pic with MattDoesFitness.'
Legend's Background and Success
Matt Morsia's Gladiators persona Legend has become a firm fan favourite since the BBC revived the iconic series two years ago. The former championship bronze medal-winning long and triple jumper, along with silver medal-winning powerlifter, has always appreciated the 'showmanship' of competitive performance.
Following his retirement from international athletics, Morsia transitioned to building a substantial digital presence, evolving into a highly successful fitness influencer and professional YouTuber who has amassed over 355 million views across his platforms.
Remarkably, Morsia accumulated an impressive £1.4 million fortune before achieving household name status through Gladiators. His wealth stems from a successful gym business, complemented by a personal training application, weightlifting products, and a range of energy drinks he has developed.
Financial figures from 2024 reveal that his business finance firm, Morsia Holdings Limited, holds assets totalling £1,358,361, including £600,968 in cash reserves. Company accounts indicate he has paid himself approximately £410,000 over the previous two trading years.
Gladiators continues its Saturday evening broadcasts at 5:45pm on BBC One and iPlayer, promising more athletic spectacle and dramatic competition in upcoming episodes.
