Original Gladiator Wolf says he “100%” could beat the rebooted show’s cast.
Bodybuilder Michael Van Wijk, 71, inset, said it was a “shame” he is not in the new BBC series. He claimed the production firm “did not bother coming back” to him about appearing. Asked if he could take on new stars, such as Team GB sprinter and Olympic bobsledder Montell Douglas, 37, and CrossFit champion Sheli McCoy, 35, he said: “Absolutely, 100%. I wouldn’t even worry about it. I suppose because (it is airing on) the BBC and it was ITV, they want to be completely separate.”
Wolf was one of the most famous cast members on the original ITV show, which aired from 1992 to 2000, and he featured in all eight series. The new show, hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son Barney Walsh, starts on Saturday (January 13) on BBC One.
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Speaking about his new role, Barney said: “I can’t lie to you, I wanted a go at the games. But they wouldn’t let me because they didn’t want me hosting with crutches. I really wanted a go on the eliminator. It was so much fun to go and watch. I think for us to go a few days early and see the games, especially the new games. We spent a lot of time studying the old games but to see the new games was really exciting.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Gladiators fans will be faced with the iconic challenges from the original series, but will also treated to three brand-new games. Teasing more, Bradley, 63, said: “There’s an unbelievable game coming up.” Barney added: “There’s one more game called the edge which hasn’t been seen yet. It’s phenomenal.” Bradley chipped in: “It really is. It’s extraordinary.” The Edge sees both contenders and gladiators raised thirty feet off the arena floor on a criss-cross grid of one-metre wide walkways.”
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
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Bradley recalled watching them compete in the event for the first time, saying: “Watching the Gladiators first step foot on it and them watching them pussyfoot around it thinking, ‘Hang on a minute. This is higher than I thought’. It was great to watch. It’s a brilliant game.” He added: “Whoever came up with that, it’s absolute genius.” The Chase star also admitted he jumped at the chance of hosting the iconic series due to his personal connection with the show.
(Image: BBC / Nick Eagle / © Hungry Bear Media Ltd)
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He explained: “My wife, Donna, was involved in the original series running the cheerleading G Force and was an associate producer on the show so I used to visit her and watch the show being made and when my son, Barney was born it was still on air, so we used to take him to watch the show.
“I took part in Gladiators as a celebrity years ago in 1997, I wasn’t really a celebrity back then as I only had a few jobs under my belt and think I had to fill in for someone. It was a family affair for us and so when the team at Hungry Bear spoke to us and said they were looking for a family appeal to the show and asked if we would we like to host it, and we jumped at the chance.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
