In a surprising twist for the hit BBC gameshow, presenter Bradley Walsh will take on the Gladiators in a physical challenge during the grand final this Saturday. The 65-year-old host, who typically stands alongside his son Barney as a commentator, is set to get directly involved in the action for the first time in the series finale.
Gladiators Reveal Walsh's Unexpected Participation
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known professionally as Nitro, exclusively told The Sun about Walsh's upcoming performance. "That's why this final is a great one because he does something hilarious that you would not have thought he'd do," Aikines-Aryeetey revealed. "He actually has a go at one of the events with one of the Gladiators. I was actually impressed."
Walsh's Strategic Approach Praised by Co-Stars
Montell Douglas, who performs as Fire on the show, provided additional insight into Walsh's methodology. According to Douglas, Walsh attempted to use his intelligence rather than pure physical strength to navigate the challenge. "He used his brain. Sometimes that's the strongest muscle you have," Douglas explained. "You've got to use what you've got." Fire went on to commend the presenter for having "a good crack at it," though the specific event Walsh participated in remains undisclosed.
Grand Final Features Returning Contenders
The championship episode will showcase four contenders returning for their ultimate opportunity at victory: Emily Bell, Naomi Church, Josh McDonald, and Tyler Spence. Montell Douglas teased the emotional depth of this season's conclusion, stating, "They have gone through a lot and I think, particularly this series, you see everyone's backstory played out so well in terms of what people are fighting for."
Douglas further reflected on the show's broader significance, describing Gladiators as "a massive celebration of who we are, how far we've all come as individuals, as superheroes, as your so-called everyday man or woman."
Contestants Encourage Future Applications
With the third series concluding, finalist Tyler Spence has strongly urged potential applicants to pursue participation. "I have probably thought about it numerous times watching the second series," Spence shared with the BBC. "I have always done things in a team and I wanted to do something for me. Everything has been unbelievable, it’s not easy but it's so rewarding." Spence emphatically advised, "one hundred percent go for it" to anyone considering applying.
Walsh Reflects on Hosting Modern Revival
Bradley Walsh opened up about his experience presenting the revived 1990s-inspired program. "It's pretty much true to the original with some changes and brought into the modern era," Walsh told the BBC. "It's a fantastic spectacle, I was so excited to work on the show."
Walsh elaborated on the production quality, noting, "It's very easy to say, 'it's fantastic', but it really is. Production have done their best to stick to the original and have run with the ball as hard and as fast as they can, and they’ve done a fantastic job."
Previous Gladiators Experience Was "Terrible"
Interestingly, Walsh disclosed that he previously participated in a celebrity edition of Gladiators back in 1997. However, he candidly described that particular performance as "terrible," making his upcoming challenge in the grand final a notable return to physical competition on the show.
The grand final of Gladiators airs this Saturday at 5:45 PM on BBC One and will be available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, featuring Bradley Walsh's unexpected challenge alongside the climactic battles between contenders and Gladiators.
