EXCLUSIVE: Gladiators set to go International with American and German versions of the show and now UK stars want to show them they’re the best
The Gladiators universe is expanding and is about to go International with an all stars show.
The Spandex heavy BBC show has been a massive success since it was rebooted and now America – where it first began in the late 1980s – has just brought back the format sparking talk of an International competition. Now the UK Gladiators are well up for testing their mettle against the world’s best.
Alex Gray, who plays Apollo on the UK version, told the Daily Star: “We kind of took it from America and made it better, I think our pantomime culture and humour helps the show a little bit.
“Hopefully it will do well in America because it would be really cool if we can get some kind of Transatlantic rivalries going, or crossover shows.”
He believes it won’t stop at America either: “The Gladiator universe is expanding, I think Germany are getting one too so International Gladiators would be fun. Go around the world and show everyone that we’re the best!”
However, being a Gladiator comes with risks with big names like Diamond have had to sit out large parts of the last series after getting hurt.
“I’m the only gladiator that’s been available for every day of filming so far – touch wood,” Gray says patting the noggin.
”There’s a lot of bumps, there’s a lot of bruises – I had a back spasm in season two that was probably more from me carrying the rest of the team than anything!
A former captain of the England Rugby Sevens, Alex recently unveiled a new side hustle when he released the country ballad, You Found Me with fellow Gladiator Emily Steel AKA Dynamite.
Gladiators has won over the hearts and minds of families across the country and Gray loves being part of it.
“It almost feels like I’m playing for England again because we get so many pats on the back from families saying, ‘Thanks this is the only thing our kids will watch with us – you’ve brought the family back together’. I never thought that was going to be the case when I became a gladiator.
“I thought, ‘I’m going to really enjoy putting on the sparkly costume and beating up your local teacher or butcher or driving instructor’.
“But the social impact that we’ve had is absolutely amazing. It is definitely the most rewarding part. Long may it continue.”
“I’m both physically and mentally prepared for it that’s why you know 13 weeks ahead of filming I’m training really hard to get back in shape for the show.”
Indeed Alex believes he can continue slamming his body into contestants on Gauntlet for years to come.
“Back in the 90s – not to be disrespectful – all the gladiators were just basically bodybuilders from gyms, but now I think the level of contender is so much higher, the state of the general fitness in the public is so much higher.
“We know how to look after the body, we’re on a fantastic run at the minute. If it’s going for 10 years, then I absolutely will keep doing it until the day I keel over.”
You Found Me is out now.
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