THE BBC have ordered a third series of Gladiators before the current season has even ended.
The Saturday night show has proved a ratings hit for the corporation, and created a huge buzz.
Gladiators has been handed a third series[/caption]
The show’s reboot has been a ratings triumph[/caption]
Beeb bosses have been delighted with its success[/caption]
That’s despite the fact that the programme, hosted by Bradley Walsh and son Barney, has only been back on our screens for two weeks.
A TV insider said: “Channel chiefs invariably wait to see how one series does before they order another one – but usually they wait more than fortnight before they make a decision.
“But season two of Gladiators has just been so well received it was a no brainer to commission a third outing as soon as possible.
“It will be a huge thrill to the ever-growing army of fans of the family-friendly show.”
The reboot of Gladiators, which originally started on ITV in 1992 with Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu hosting, launched last January on BBC One.
Not surprisingly the Beeb then ordered a second series plus the celebrity special which aired on New Years Day and was watched by just over 5m.
The current series, which continues tomorrow on BBC One, has had an extra wow-factor thanks to the introduction of a favourite game from the old days, the atlaspheres, as well as bringing in two new gladiators.
Although it would have been a big shock for the BBC had they decided not to order a third outing, it’s quite a surprise they’ve recommissioned so quickly.
Filming on the new series is expected to take place this summer with Bradley and Barney likely to return as presenters.
There’s also a very high chance that the show, made by production company Hungry Bear, will also see Celebrity Gladiators recommissioned for a second outing too.
The BBC were approached for comment.
Meet the Gladiators finalists
The Gladiators final takes place on Easter Saturday at 5.30pm on BBC One.
After ten gruelling weeks facing the superhuman Gladiators, four contenders have made it through to the grand final.
The Gladiators 2024 finalists are:
Finlay Anderson – Army officer Finlay, 34, from Edinburgh has made it to the final despite being injured in the quarter-final.
Wesley Male – Even though he joined in the quarter-final stage, part-time Leeds wrestler Wesley, 35, has proved a force to be reckoned with on the Gladiators gauntlet.
Bronte Jones – This 23-year-old firefighter from Sheffield is the youngest contender in the final.
Marie-Louise Nicholson – Hailing from Dublin, Marie-Louise, 28, is a fitness coach who has scored maximum points five times on Gladiators.
The show’s second series is currently on air[/caption]
More details are expected in due course[/caption]
