EXCLUSIVE: Newcomer Hammer, a former professional footballer and champion rower, told fellow co-stars, ‘I am not to be messed with’ and revealed he used to go and watch the original series being filmed as a youngster
Gladiator newcomer Hammer is there thanks to his late grandad.
They used to watch the show together when he was a nipper.
And as he got older, the hunk – real name Tom Wilson – was inspired to become an athlete because of him.
Now, after a career as a professional footballer and champion rower, he has landed his dream job on the show.
Hammer told the Daily Star Sunday: “When I was young, my grandad used to take me to watch Gladiators being filmed.
“He knew one of the cameramen and he could get us tickets.
“So I think it was my destiny to be a Gladiator!”
Hammer hopes grandad Ronald Hare can see what’s happening from beyond the grave.
When he landed the role, he couldn’t wait to let him hear about it.
He said: “I know that my grandad would be so proud of me becoming a Gladiator.
“When I got the job, I did tell him… up there.
“When I went to the arena for the first time, it reminded me of all the times I watched the show with my grandad. It would have been an amazing thing if he could have been there in person to see it.
“My grandad was my idol. He was a professional rugby player, so he always encouraged me to do sport. He’s the reason I became an athlete. This has happened because of him.”
Gladiators bosses hired Hammer to make it even tougher for contestants.
At 6ft 6in and weighing 19st, he’s one of the biggest stars the show has seen.
And he’s warned he is taking his new role seriously.
Hammer said: “I am coming into the show as the enforcer.
“I am not to be messed with. I don’t sugarcoat anything.
“The way Hammer does business is straight to the point. I’m hard-hitting, explosive and powerful.
“My strengths are my power and my size. Also, I can sprint and run and move.
“Expect a lot of explosive speed. I can move very well for a big guy.”
Hammer isn’t planning to show mercy even if contestants are struggling.
He added: “I am very serious. I’m there to stop the contestants from scoring any points, so I won’t hold back.
“That’s the way I do business. We are all elite athletes and we have that competitive edge.
“We want to win – it’s naturally built into us.
“We don’t want to be seen to lose.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
