Gladiators, ready! The hit BBC competition has returned to our screens for the second time since the revival, with two new athletes having joined the cast.
The BBC vowed the second season, which follows the likes of Louise Minchin and Joel Dommett taking part in the celebrity version over the festive period, will be back ‘tougher and more powerful than ever’, and it has certainly lived up to expectations.
Not only has there been the return of an original series game, Atlaspheres, and a brand new event, Unleash, but this year, two new Gladiators have headed into the arena.
They’ve joined the ones we already know and love, including Sabre, Fury and Steel.
We’ve already met the force that is Cyclone, but tonight, another member is being introduced.
Here’s everything you need to know about Gladiators’ newest members, Cyclone and Hammer ahead of this year’s semi-finals.
Hammer
Hammer, whose real name is Tom Wilson, is a 32-year-old World Rowing Champion.
The 6ft5 athlete form Nottingham claims that ‘combination of his strength and speed, at the height and size that he is, is rare and sets him apart from everyone else’.
He said: ‘When you’ve got 19 stone sprinting at you, you’ve got no chance. I’m getting you.’
Outside of the Gladiators arena, Tom works as a personal trainer, and is also an indoor rowing champion, having won gold at the British Championships and silver in European and World competitions.
His Instagram is full of gym pics as well as a peek into his private life, with his dogs, fiancé who he proposed to in May 2023, and family life as a ‘super proud uncle’.
‘RAAARGH! 🔨 Feel the unstoppable force of Hammer, on a mission to crush anything and anyone in his path. Hammer is a combination of height, strength and speed, ready to shake the Arena to its foundations… Contenders, beware!’ the BBC announced.
Cyclone
Cyclone, whose real name is Lystus Ebosele, is an Irish Powerlifter, and at 5ft10 considers herself the ultimate all-round athlete.
The 23-year-old said: ‘I’ve got the look, I’ve got the energy and I’ve got the muscles.’
Her Instagram profile boasts gym pics and progress videos, as well as posts on nutrition and healthy eating.
According to BarBend, Lystus was Junior European Champion in the European Powerlifting Federation in 2022, and then took the International Powerlifting Federation Junior world title in Romania the following year.
Announcing her as a new Gladiator, the BBC introduced Cyclone as: ‘Cyclone is a whirlwind of destruction that will blow away the competition. Strong, determined and with awesome power, nothing will get in her way.’
What time is Gladiators on tonight?
Gladiators airs on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturdays at 5.45pm, with new episodes airing weekly.
Ahead of the new season, the BBC teased: ‘The first episode sees Giant meet his match on the duel podium, Viper finally breaks his silence, and we witness the long-awaited return of the legendary, metal-crunching event, Atlaspheres.’
Who won Gladiators 2024?
Finlay Anderson and Marie-Louise Nicholson were crowned Gladiators champions after a tense final showdown in March last year.
The duo went up against finalists Wesley Male and Bronte Jones for one last time – but after 11 weeks of gruelling challenges, they were the ones who emerged victorious.
To reach the final, the contenders had to battle against the show’s 16 Gladiators in games testing strength, speed and dexterity that continue to be family favourites from previous versions of the programme.
The BBC revived Gladiators last year, with a new batch of athletes following in the footsteps of icons Wolf, Jet, Hunter and Lightening.
Originally running from 1992 to 2000, Gladiators was hosted by Ulrika Jonsson on ITV, and now sees father-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh at the helm.
This article was originally published on January 18, 2025.
Gladiators continues on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturdays at 5.45pm.
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