Format

The BBC has renewed hit entertainment format Gladiators for a fourth season and commissioned a new standalone celebrity edition, extending the revival’s successful run into 2027. Produced by Hungry Bear Media and MGM Alternative UK, a division of Amazon MGM Studios, the latest season will see contestants once again take on the show’s iconic Gladiators in a series of physical challenges at Sheffield Arena. Hosts Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh will return to front the format.
The new season will introduce an additional event, details of which will be announced at a later date. Fan-favourite challenges including Duel, Hang Tough and The Eliminator will return alongside newer games Everest, Destruction and Suspension Bridge.

The BBC has also greenlit a one-off Celebrity Special, which will feature four celebrity contestants competing against the Gladiators. The revival continues to deliver strong audience numbers for the broadcaster. According to the BBC, the most recent season averaged 4.6 million viewers across BBC One and BBC iPlayer over a 28-day viewing window, while also attracting significant younger audiences.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, said: “Since Gladiators burst back onto screens in 2024, it’s been amazing to see families across the UK rally behind the contenders and champion our phenomenal Gladiators as the true stars of Saturday nights. With a brand-new series confirmed and another Celebrity Special on the way, audiences can look forward to even more colossal clashes, even more edge of your seat excitement and plenty of opportunities to raise those foam fingers high once again.”
Dan Baldwin, Managing Director of Hungry Bear Media, added: “We are immensely proud to welcome Gladiators back to its rightful home on the BBC. This year is bigger, bolder, it’s more gruelling, and it’s going to be spectacular! We have some huge surprises for the audience. The countdown begins now…”

Gladiators is produced by Hungry Bear Media and MGM Alternative UK for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The format is based on the original American Gladiators, created by Johnny C. Ferraro and Dan Carr and developed by Ferraro.