Gladiators fans were left less than amused after a ‘dig’ that co-host Bradley Walsh delivered towards former original Gladiators stars, Wolf and Jet.
The successful BBC reboot of the beloved nineties TV show reached its final on Saturday night, with contenders Bronte, Marie-Louise, Finlay and Wesley fighting to be crowned champion.
They were up against the likes of new Gladiators stars Giant, Steel, Phantom, Fire, Diamond and Fury.
Introducing ‘old classic’ Duel as the next challenge up for the contenders to go head-to-head with the Gladiators, Bradley’s son and co-host Barney told him: ‘The original Gladiators like Wolf and Jet were brilliant at this back in the day.’
‘Well, I’m delighted to say that Jet and Wolf are back!’ declared Bradley as the audience erupted into cheers.
‘Really?’ responded Barney, to which Bradley insisted: ‘Yeah!’
He then added: ‘They’re back at home, watching this from the comfort of their living room, they’re not mad!’
Viewers at home were annoyed to have been led on in that fashion, however, although Bradley appeared to make sure there would be no hard feelings by later confessing ‘Miss you, Jet!’ before the challenge began.
‘Jet and Wolf are back… Bradley, don’t tease,’ complained Jodie Portugal on X, while Tia Owen confessed: ‘I got so excited there thinking they were actually going to bring out Wolf and Jet.’
‘F**k you, Bradley! You got me excited thinking that Jet and Wolf were gonna make an appearance!’ shared an enraged @MissLionHeart, alongside a red-faced angry emoji.
‘DON’T PLAY WITH US,’ added @Tortured_Abyss, while @RossDeku posted: ‘That was NOT funny with Bradly teasing us that wolf and jet were there watching the final.’
Others also weren’t impressed with Bradley and Barney’s knowledge of the original show.
‘Jet and Wolf were best at hang tough not duel. Really, Bradley!’ insisted John Bishop.
Later it was revealed that OG Gladiator Saracen was in fact in the crowd when Giant gave him a shoutout after defeating Finlay in the Duel.
‘I did not expect to get up there, stare Finlay in the face on the Duel, and have the mighty Saracen staring me in the eye behind!’
The arena then erupted into applause as Saracen was shown waving to the crowd with a broad beam on his face.
Saracen – real name Michael Lewis – appeared on all eight seasons of the original show, but later traded in his TV fame for a role as a fireman.
He’s now retired, but has made appearances on the likes of This Morning, and in 2015 appeared on Ninja Warrior UK.
Meanwhile Jet – real name Diane Youdale – quit Gladiators in 1996 after she suffered spinal injuries at a live show.
Since leaving Gladiators, the now-53-year-old has worked as a teacher, and qualified as a psychotherapist and pilates instructor.
Everyone’s favourite baddie Wolf – real name Michael Van Wijk – has expressed his desire to return to the franchise but other have suggested they felt slightly snubbed by not being invited back.
The now-71-year-old owns several gyms and also became a cage-fighter and competed in Jiu Jitsu championships.
He also sent fans wild with an appearance on Netflix reality show Squid Game., he appeared as contestant number 72.
The first series of the rebooted Gladiators was eventually won by personal trainer Marie-Louise and British Army officer Finlay.
The show has been commissioned for a second series, the BBC has already confirmed.
Catch up on Gladiators series one on BBC iPlayer.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Gladiators champions crowned after gruelling BBC final – despite worrying rib injury
MORE : Paul O’Grady ‘would have been absolutely appalled’ over Lily Savage documentary suggestion
0 Comments