Bradley and Barney Walsh, a father-son combination, have been announced as the hosts of the BBC’s reboot of Gladiators, and they have a strange connection to the original series.
Gladiators initially aired on ITV in 1992, lasting eight seasons until 2000, and it’s now officially returning, with The Chase hostand his son at the helm.
The show’s host, Ulrika Jonsson, pitted athletic TV fans as Contenders against the show’s formidable Gladiators in contests that tested their speed, skill, stamina, and strength.
Bradley, 62, and Barney, 25, will host a completely new generation of superhuman Gladiators as they compete against a courageous group of rivals in the ultimate test of speed and strength, more than two decades after they first appeared on our screens.
There appears to be no one better fit for the role, as Gladiators has always been a significant part of the Walsh family.
Donna Walsh, Barney’s mother and Bradley’s wife, was the original Gladiator cheerleading’ chief choreographer.
Bradley and a young Barney were frequent set visits, with Barney taking his first steps on the historic stadium floor.
Not to be outdone, Bradley followed in the footsteps of his young son by appearing in a celebrities vs. jockeys special in 1997.
Bradley said: ‘Wow! I can’t believe that I’ve been asked to be part of this iconic show.
‘I used to sit backstage, or in the audience, every week watching my wife be part of this juggernaut and now I get to co-host a new version of GLADIATORS!!!
‘Saturday night family entertainment at its best…ARE YOU READY ?!’
Barney added: ‘Gladiators has been a massive part of our family and it’s an honour to be asked to co-host this iconic show.
‘I’m so excited for everyone to see the spectacle, elite athletes and fantastic family entertainment that is GLADIATORS.’
The formal news follows significant conjecture about the pair presenting the remake together, despite Bradley earlier dismissing such talk.
‘The BBC love the idea of having a unique duo fronting Gladiators and that’s what hiring a father and son gives them,’ a source had said.
‘It’s certainly a break from the presenters the show had previously.’
The insider continued to The Sun: ‘They already know they have a great dynamic, thanks to appearing together on their travelogue, Breaking Dad as well as drama, The Larkins.’
Gladiators returns to BBC soon.
Source My Celebrity Life.
