Emily Bell and Josh McDonald Triumph as Gladiators 2026 Champions in Electrifying Finale
The ultimate Gladiators Champions for 2026 were officially crowned on Saturday night, with Emily Bell and Josh McDonald seizing victory in a heart-pounding final episode. The action-packed showdown unfolded at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, where the final four contestants—Emily Bell, Naomi Church, Josh McDonald, and Tyler Spence—returned to face the gladiators one last time in a series of gruelling challenges.
Surprising Moments and Historic Achievements
Fans witnessed several unexpected highlights throughout the evening, most notably when Emily Bell, who works in marketing and events, managed to knock the gladiator Sabre off the podium during the Duel event. This marked the first time ever that such a feat had been accomplished in the competition, showcasing Emily's remarkable strength and determination.
After successfully overcoming the gladiators, Emily entered the Eliminator round with a six-second advantage over her competitor Naomi Church. The two women raced neck-and-neck until Naomi encountered difficulties on the balance beam, allowing Emily to surge ahead on the travelator and claim the women's crown. Overjoyed by her victory, Emily exclaimed to hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh, 'No words. That was unforgettable! I just won Gladiators on my 23rd birthday.'
She further reflected on the historic nature of their achievement, adding, 'We've made history as the oldest and youngest contestants and I'm so glad I got to the final with Naomi.'
Intense Battle for the Men's Title
In the men's competition, Josh McDonald and Tyler Spence engaged in a fiercely contested battle for the championship. Josh began with a 1.5-second advantage, but Tyler initially overtook him by climbing to the top of the net first. However, Tyler's momentum was halted when he slipped on the beam, forcing him to return to the start and giving Josh a critical opportunity.
Josh, a former Royal Marine Commando trainee, capitalised on this setback by overtaking Tyler on the beam and ultimately making it up the travelator first to secure the men's title. Following his win, Josh shared, 'We knew it was going to be a close battle and it could have gone either way. I was thinking about my mum the entire time, this win is for my family.'
Host Bradley Walsh Takes on the Gladiators
Adding to the excitement of the grand final, host Bradley Walsh participated in a challenge against the gladiators for the first time in the show's history. Typically content to host alongside his son Barney from the sidelines, the 65-year-old presenter stepped into the arena to test his mettle.
Ahead of the broadcast, gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known as Nitro, teased Bradley's involvement, stating, 'That's why this final is a great one because he does something hilarious that you would not have thought he'd do. He actually has a go at one of the events with one of the Gladiators. I was actually impressed.'
Montell Douglas, also known as Fire, provided insight into Bradley's strategy, revealing, 'He used his brain. Sometimes that's the strongest muscle you have. You've got to use what you've got.' Fire praised Bradley for giving it 'a good crack at it,' highlighting the presenter's clever approach to the challenge.
The 2026 Gladiators final delivered an unforgettable spectacle of athleticism, drama, and surprise, cementing Emily Bell and Josh McDonald as deserving champions in the annals of the beloved BBC gameshow.
