Prepare yourself, gladiators! Fury and Steel are the names of the first two contestants in the BBC’s reboot of the successful show.
Fury and Steel are the first participants in the new line-up of superhumans poised to pick up their pugil sticks and participate in one of the most legendary gameshows in history, as announced on tonight’s The One Show.
Gladiators began aired on ITV in 1992 and ran for eight seasons until 2000. It will now be available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Ulrika Jonsson hosted the show, which pitted athletic TV fans as Contenders against the show’s formidable Gladiators, including Hunter, Wolf, and Lightning, in contests that tested their speed, ability, stamina, and strength.
Fury, the first contestant, was called because her strength and competitive spirit.
Jodie Ounsley, a professional Exeter Chiefs rugby player, is a former England Women’s Rugby Sevens player, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu British Champion, and five-time World Coal Carrying Champion.
She was also named Deaf Sports Personality of the Year in 2020.
As if her accomplishments weren’t enough, Jodie’s father was a Gladiator contestant in 2008, and she has been trying to outdo him ever since.
She used to dress up as a Gladiator and practise the games in her living room when she was younger.
Fury said: ‘Watching Gladiators growing up I was always in awe of their strength and power and now I am one! I hope contenders are ready to feel the Fury.’
Meanwhile, Zack George, the UK’s fittest man, who won the title in 2020, will play as Steel.
The fitness enthusiast has placed number 26 out of a whooping 126,461 on the global CrossFit leader board, giving him the moniker “Unbreakable Strength.”
After embarking on his own personal fitness journey as a teenager, Zack was inspired to help others with their health, and as Steel, he aims to encourage a new, youthful generation of followers to get into fitness as well.
Steel said: ‘I was inspired by the Gladiators as a child, but never imagined I’d be physically fit enough to be considered a “superhuman”!
‘I hope a new generation of fans will look up to me as their new strong, unbreakable hero, Steel.’
The announcement comes after father-son combination Bradley and Barney Walsh were introduced as the new hosts, and it looks there’s no one better suited to the role, since 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.’
Gladiators returns to BBC soon.
Source My Celebrity Life.
