Gladiators star Ulrika Jonsson has shared her thoughts on the reboot of the hit show as she questioned the BBC’s decision to axe an iconic feature.
The presenter, 56, fronted the original series throughout its entire run from 1992 until 2000. She co-hosted alongside John Fashanu until 1996.
The former model was joined by Jeremy Guscott from 1997 to 1998 before John returned for the final series in 1999. Gladiators will air on BBC One today (January 13), and while it appears Ulrika is in full support of the new series, she couldn’t help but notice that something is missing.
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Writing in her column for The Sun, she said: “The show is going to need some characters because all muscle and no humour makes a Gladiator very dull. It’s not all perfect though.
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“Where are the cheerleaders? I think the public will be as perplexed as me about their disappearance. I don’t know if this is some kind of woke rubbish but it’s disappointing.”
Ulrika added: “Cheerleaders add another dimension to the programme and make it feel more layered. The cheerleaders also serve the purpose of entertaining the audience in the arena, too. They always had cheeky routines which put a big smile on people’s faces.”
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
She voiced the same thoughts during a recent appearance of ITV’s Lorraine, blasting the BBC’s decision to axe the cheerleaders. Speaking to Christine Lampard, the GB News star said: “It brought tears to my eyes because they have kept the music and the general feel of it so really, they have done a great job. But no cheerleaders! I just don’t understand it. I don’t know if it’s some kind of wokery?”
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
She added: “The whole point, the cheerleaders just brought another level and some depth it. And they were gorgeous and talented girls, we had such a lovely time together with them. They were so great and it’s just a shame. I don’t know what the reasons are.”
The reboot will now be hosted by father-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh. The Chase presenter, 63, has his own connection to the cheerleaders as his wife, Donna Derby, was head of their squad on the original series.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
