Gladiators star Giant has claimed he was axed from the show by the BBC because the broadcaster disapproved of his relationship with his OnlyFans model girlfriend. Jamie Bigg, 40, has asserted that his romance with Taylor Ryan, 28, led to his dismissal from the popular programme on Friday. He stated that he had informed bosses of his intention to publicly confirm the relationship with the adult content creator but was cut from the upcoming fourth series shortly thereafter.
Unexpected Departure
The star admitted his departure from the reboot, which sees top athletes tackle ordinary contestants in physical challenges, 'wasn't something I expected.' However, he praised his partner as an 'incredible person' whom he is 'proud to stand by.' The couple are said to be shocked and saddened by the news, which came while they were considering starting a family.
In a statement released on Friday, Jamie said: 'I made it clear that I was planning to go public with my relationship, including the fact my partner works as an OnlyFans creator, and shortly after that I was told I wouldn't be continuing on Gladiators. It wasn't something I expected, especially given the commitment I've shown to the role.'
Role Model Values
He added: 'I've always taken being in the public eye seriously, and I believe being a role model is about honesty as well as professionalism. For me, that means not hiding parts of who I am or the people I care about. My partner is an incredible person, and I have huge respect for everything she does – I'm proud to stand by her.'
Jamie also claimed that in later discussions about his axing, bosses cited 'child safeguarding' as the reason behind the decision. The corporation announced his departure on Friday via the official BBC 'Giant the Gladiator' Instagram page, thanking him for his contributions and wishing him well.
Devastated Couple
The Daily Mail understands the move came as Jamie was on the cusp of going public with Taylor by discussing the relationship on a podcast. The couple are said to be devastated, with the decision arriving at a 'particularly difficult' time due to their discussions about starting a family. The BBC did not comment on Jamie's claims, but a Gladiators spokesperson stated: 'After three formidable series, Giant is leaving Gladiators. We'd like to thank him for everything he has contributed to the show and wish him well for the future.'
Taylor is a model and aspiring comedian who has appeared on various podcasts. Her social media accounts reveal she has ADHD and autism, and enjoys sports and outings with her dog. In 2023, she spoke about quitting her job as a barista at Costa to model full-time, earning up to £25,000 per month.
Cryptic Social Media Post
Soon after the announcement, Jamie took to social media with a cryptic post, revealing he had been 'faced with a choice that didn't align with my values' and that it was not a voluntary move. He wrote: 'Being a Gladiator has been one of the greatest honours of my life. Stepping into that arena, hearing the crowd, representing strength, resilience and being a role model… that's something I'll carry with me forever. What I do want to make clear is this wasn't a decision I made to step away. I was faced with a choice that didn't align with my values. And if you know me, you know this… I stand by my people and I stand by what I believe in. That's what being a role model means to me.'
He received supportive messages from fans and former co-stars, including Zack George (Steel) and Matty Campbell (Bionic). Jamie also disassociated himself from the BBC's Instagram post, writing: 'I DO NOT CONTROL THIS ACCOUNT AND HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHAT IT POSTS. PLEASE READ MY CURRENT POST ON MY PERSONAL ACCOUNT FOR MORE INFORMATION.'
Personal Background
At the start of this year, Jamie confirmed he would revert to his birth name, Jamie Bigg, having previously been known as Jamie Christian-Johal. He split from his ex-wife Katie late last year and they have since divorced. He announced the name change as part of a plan to 'reclaim his identity' in 2026, adding that turning 40, receiving an ADHD diagnosis, and going through a divorce reinforced the need for his own identity.
Prior to being a Gladiator, Jamie was the tallest professional bodybuilder in the world at 6ft 5in, consuming up to 10,000 calories a day. He previously shared how bodybuilding and filming Gladiators put pressure on his marriage. After the break-up, hormone therapist Katie described feeling as if she had lost a part of herself during their 11 years together while supporting Jamie's career.
