The third series ofGladiators began airing in the UK from 17 January 2026 on BBC One. It was recorded in the summer of 2025 at the Sheffield Arena.[1][2]
In December 2025, following his divorce, male gladiator Giant reverted his last name to his birth name, Bigg. However, as the series was filmed in the summer of 2025, he is still listed here as Jamie Christian-Johal, using his previous double-barrel surname.[11]
When airing of the episodes began, it was quickly announced that the program had started casting contenders for a further, fourth series.[12]
All of the 18 Gladiators from the previous two series are set to return this series. Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey) is set to return from his hiatus on Series 2 after suffering an knee injury before the filming of the series, as is Giant (Jamie Bigg), who was only seen briefly in the previous series due to a bicep injury.[1][7][13]
↑Suffered an leg injury forcing her to withdraw from the series early on.
↑Misses most of the series' events due to bicep injury from competing. Is still seen in the program via different skits.
Contenders
The winning contenders are marked in bold. As the series contains only five heats, and three quarter finals, in addition to the winners of the previous episodes, winners of unaired head-to-head versions of Duel between the two fastest runners-up advance to the next stage.
Destruction[2][14][15] is one of the new games in this series. In this event, two contenders are facing one Gladiator, in a race to press the button at the center of the arena. To get to the button, they have to break through four 8 ft tall barriers, each one requiring a different technique. The first is a straight run through, the second requires use of a battering ram, the third has marked crosses that must be kicked or punched to create hand/foot holds to climb over, and the fourth must be got through via brute force with repeated barges and attacks. 10 points are awarded for a win, 5 for coming second. If the gladiator comes first, 5 points are given to the first contender to strike the button.
Everest[16] is the second of the brand new games of the series. In a game of pushing power on an elevated platform 21 ft above the arena floor, the contender and the Gladiator must push a 220kg solid perspex wall the length of the platform so that the opponent will fall off the due to lack of space. At a certain point a siren will sound meaning the platform will tilt, firstly in the contender's favour and then in the Gladiator's. 10 points for are gained for pushing the Gladiator off, 5 points for a draw.
Suspension Bridge[2][17] makes its return from the original series. A variant of Duel, contenders and gladiators fight on an unstable suspension bridge, and the contenders must reach the Gladiator's platform on the opposite side of the bridge to win. As in the original version, combatants fight using the hammerhead weapons. 10 points are awarded if the contenders reaches the Gladiator's platform, 5 points for a draw.
In a change to previous series, a head-to-head version of Duel between the two fastest runner-ups in the heats was used to determine which contenders would receive the final spot in the quarter-finals; however, there were no clear winners due to none of the contenders falling in either the male or female bouts so the head referee made the final decision based on performance; this was not mentioned or aired in the programme.[18]
For this series, the balance beam obstacle of the Eliminator has been modified so instead of a level run it dips in the middle. Any red section on the beam must be touched or the contender will have to start again.
Male Gladiators Giant and Nitro made returns in Duel and The Wall respectively, the latter being missed entirely in the previous series and the former after the fifth episode due to injuries. Legend, Diamond and Athena did not compete in this special.
Event 1: Duel
Male contenders
Joe Wicks
vs. Viper
(5–0) (5–0)
Sam Thompson
vs. Giant
Though Viper dispatched Joe off the podium, he actually went just before the starting whistle. Viper was disqualified for this and therefore Joe was rewarded 5 points.
Female contenders
Nicola Adams
vs. Fury
(0–0) (0–0)
Vogue Williams
vs. Sabre
Fury was facing her childhood sporting hero, Nicola. Nicola forfeited the event after falling onto Fury's podium.
Event 2: Collision
Male contenders
Joe Wicks
vs. Phantom, Apollo, Bionic & Steel
(6–4) (11–4)
Sam Thompson
vs. Phantom, Apollo, Bionic & Steel
Following the men's event, Joe and Sam got into trouble with Giant and Phantom after messing around in the locker room.
Female contenders
Nicola Adams
vs. Sabre, Electro, Fire & Comet
(10–6) (10–6)
Vogue Williams
vs. Sabre, Electro, Fire & Comet
Event 3: The Wall
Male contenders
Joe Wicks
vs. Nitro
(0–10) (11–14)
Sam Thompson
vs. Hammer
Nitro's return event and Hammer's Wall-debut.
Female contenders
Nicola Adams
vs. Dynamite
(0–0) (10–6)
Vogue Williams
vs. Cyclone
Cyclone's debut on The Wall.
Event 4: Gauntlet
Male contenders
Joe Wicks
vs. Nitro, Steel, Phantom, Bionic & Apollo
(10–8) (21–22)
Sam Thompson
vs. Nitro, Steel, Phantom, Bionic & Apollo
Though Sam crossed the finish line just as time ran out, he wasn't fully over the line and therefore only scored 8 points.
Female contenders
Nicola Adams
vs. Comet, Electro, Dynamite, Fury & Cyclone
(10–10) (20–16)
Vogue Williams
vs. Comet, Electro, Dynamite, Fury & Cyclone
Comet's first shown outing on this event.
Event 5: The Eliminator
Male contenders
Joe Wicks
Sam Thompson
Entering the Eliminator, the score was 21–22. This 1-point lead gave Sam a 0.5-second head-start.
Winner Joe Wicks
Female contenders
Nicola Adams
Vogue Williams
Entering the Eliminator, the score was 20–16. This 4-point lead gave Nicola a 2-second head-start.
Winner Vogue Williams
23
1
"Heat 1"
17January2026(2026-01-17)
5.14
6th
The heats begin. Gladiators Legend, Athena and Diamond are back, and a brand new event, Destruction, debuts.[20] Contenders for the episode are Finn, Josh, Rachael and Naomi.
A new stats comparing feature was brought to compare the 6 ft 4 in tall contender Finn and the 6 ft 5 in gladiator Giant side-by-side before their Duel game.[20]
Event 1: Powerball
Male contenders
Finn
vs. Phantom, Steel, Hammer
(7–6) (7–6)
Josh
vs. Phantom, Steel, Hammer
The game was briefly stopped after Hammer almost tore Finn's shirt off midway through. Finn's first ball, though scored while the pod was on its side, was also deemed legal.
Female contenders
Rachael
vs. Electro, Sabre, Fury
(0–8) (0–8)
Naomi
vs. Electro, Sabre, Fury
The commentator claimed Naomi's last ball, which would have scored her 10 points, was deemed invalid because it had touched the ground before being put in a pod.
Event 2: Duel
Male contenders
Finn
vs. Giant
(10–10) (17–16)
Josh
vs. Viper
Giant's first ever proper defeat in Duel. Upon being defeated by Josh after accidentally stepping onto Josh's podium before falling off, Viper threw a tantrum, damaging the podium with the pugil stick, and thereby was sent off the arena by the referees.
Female contenders
Rachael
vs. Fire
(5–0) (5–8)
Naomi
vs. Diamond
Event 3: Destruction
Male contenders
Finn
vs. Bionic
(5–0) (22–16)
Josh
vs. Bionic
In an all-new event, the two contenders face just ONE Gladiator simultaneously.
Female contenders
Rachael
vs. Cyclone
(0–5) (5–13)
Naomi
vs. Cyclone
Event 4: The Edge
Male contenders
Finn
vs. Apollo
(4–10) (26–26)
Josh
vs. Legend
Legend's first shown outing since Series 2. Although shown and mentioned in the "Heat 4" episode of the program, and as the episodes are aired in a different order than they're produced, Legend suffered a major bicep muscle tear,[21] when competing on The Edge against contender Josh. Since this is his last played event during the filmings, every other event he's competed after this (including The Wall in "Heat 1") have been filmed pre-injury.
Female contenders
Rachael
vs. Dynamite
(10–10) (15–23)
Naomi
vs. Fury
Event 5: The Wall
Male contenders
Finn
vs. Legend
(10–0) (36–26)
Josh
vs. Nitro
Nitro returns in regular series, remains victorious with 6 total wins on The Wall across the entire regular show.
Female contenders
Rachael
vs. Athena
(10–5) (25–28)
Naomi
vs. Comet
Event 6: The Eliminator
Male contenders
Finn
Josh
Entering the Eliminator the score was 36–26. This 10-point lead gave Finn a 5-second head-start.
Winner Finn
Female contenders
Rachael
Naomi
Entering the Eliminator the score was 25–28. This 3 point lead gave Naomi a 1.5-second head-start.
Winner Naomi
24
2
"Heat 2"
24January2026(2026-01-24)
4.74
9th
In this heat, another brand-new event called Everest debuts.[16][22] Contenders are Mark, Jason, Gail and Emily.
Gladiators Legend, Diamond nor Fire were seen competing in this episode. Before the first women's Duel of the episode, Legend held the other Gladiators a team talk, with hilarious starting setups for some of the events, featuring only himself, Plus Gladiator Steel for Duel. This based on the Gladiators' standard "below bar" from the previous episodes.[22]
Event 1: Duel
Male contenders
Mark
vs. Phantom
(0–0) (0–0)
Jason
vs. Nitro
Jason forfieted the event after stepping onto Nitro's podium.
Female contenders
Gail
vs. Fury
(0–5) (0–5)
Emily
vs. Cyclone
During her duel with Emily, Cyclone was repeatedly warned by Mark Clattenburg for using her pugil stick to push Emily.
Event 2: Destruction
Male contenders
Mark
vs. Steel
(10–0) (10–0)
Jason
vs. Steel
Female contenders
Gail
vs. Sabre
(10–0) (10–5)
Emily
vs. Sabre
Event 3: Collision
Male contenders
Mark
vs. Viper, Apollo, Hammer & Nitro
(6–2) (16–2)
Jason
vs. Viper, Apollo, Hammer & Nitro
Nitro's debut on Collision.
Female contenders
Gail
vs. Athena, Comet, Electro & Dynamite
(0–2) (10–7)
Emily
vs. Athena, Comet, Electro & Dynamite
Event 4: Everest
Male contenders
Mark
vs. Giant
(10–10) (26–12)
Jason
vs. Bionic
Female contenders
Gail
vs. Cyclone
(0–10) (10–17)
Emily
vs. Dynamite
Event 5: The Edge
Male contenders
Mark
vs. Apollo
(2–10) (28–22)
Jason
vs. Steel
Female contenders
Gail
vs. Fury
(6–10) (16–27)
Emily
vs. Dynamite
Event 6: The Eliminator
Male contenders
Mark
Jason
Entering the Eliminator the score was 28–22. This 6-point lead gave Mark a 3-second head-start
Winner Mark
Female contenders
Gail
Emily
Entering the Eliminator the score was 16–27. This 11-point lead gave Emily a 5.5-second head-start
Winner Emily
25
3
"Heat 3"
31January2026(2026-01-31)
4.75
6th
This heat sees the return of events Unleash and Hang Tough.[23] Contenders for the episode are Elliot & Tyler, Ellie & Millie. This episode sees the return of gladiators Diamond, Legend and Fire, who were absent from events in the previous episode.
Event 1: Duel
Male contenders
Elliot
vs. Hammer
(5–0) (5–0)
Tyler
vs. Nitro
Hammer got disqualified for going before the whistle so therefore Elliot got 5 points.
Female contenders
Ellie
vs. Sabre
(5–0) (5–0)
Millie
vs. Cyclone
Event 2: Unleash
Male contenders
Elliot
vs. Apollo
(0–5) (5–5)
Tyler
vs. Phantom
Female contenders
Ellie
vs. Electro
(5–10) (10–10)
Millie
vs. Diamond
Diamond's Unleash debut.
Event 3: Destruction
Male contenders
Elliot
vs. Giant
(0–10) (5–15)
Tyler
vs. Giant
Female contenders
Ellie
vs. Fire
(0–5) (10–15)
Millie
vs. Fire
Event 4: Hang Tough
Male contenders
Elliot
vs. Steel
(0–0) (5–15)
Tyler
vs. Legend
Steel's Hang Tough debut. After knocking Tyler off the rings, Legend was warned by Mark Clattenburg for deliberately tackling high with his feet.
Female contenders
Ellie
vs. Fury
(0–10) (10–25)
Millie
vs. Athena
Event 5: Gauntlet
Male contenders
Elliot
vs. Viper, Phantom, Legend, Apollo & Bionic
(10–10) (15–25)
Tyler
vs. Viper, Phantom, Legend, Apollo & Bionic
Female contenders
Ellie
vs. Diamond, Fury, Comet, Dynamite & Cyclone
(10–8) (20–33)
Millie
vs. Diamond, Fury, Comet, Dynamite & Cyclone
Millie's Gauntlet run was stopped briefly when she and Fury inadvertantly grappled with each other.
Event 6: The Eliminator
Male contenders
Elliot
Tyler
Entering the Eliminator the score was 15–25. This 10-point lead gave Tyler a 5-second head-start
Winner Tyler
Female contenders
Ellie
Millie
Entering the Eliminator the score was 20–33. This 13-point lead gave Millie a 6.5-second head-start
Winner Ellie
26
4
"Heat 4"
7February2026(2026-02-07)
TBD
TBA
This heat includes events like Everest and Hang Tough.[24] Contenders are Shaun and Hinley, Ella and Ciara. During the episode, injured Gladiator Legend was seen walking in, announcing his accident, and he did a skit for The Wall event, writing the hosts' teleprompter. Purvinder Kaur Shokar is credited as an assistant referee for the first time.
Event 1: Collision
Male contenders
Shaun
vs. Phantom, Hammer, Bionic & Giant
(6–4) (6–4)
Hinley
vs. Phantom, Hammer, Bionic & Giant
Female contenders
Ella
vs. Sabre, Fire, Athena & Electro
(12–2) (12–2)
Ciara
vs. Sabre, Fire, Athena & Electro
Ella scored the highest score on Collision so far, by 12 points.
Event 2: Everest
Male contenders
Shaun
vs. Hammer
(0–10) (6–14)
Hinley
vs. Viper
Viper was warned by referee Mark for holding to the railings of the Everest platform. After the event Viper ripped Dynamite's toy panda in the locker room which he doesn't like cuddly toys.
Female contenders
Ella
vs. Cyclone
(0–10) (12–12)
Ciara
vs. Diamond
Event 3: Hang Tough
Male contenders
Shaun
vs. Steel
(5–0) (11–14)
Hinley
vs. Nitro
Female contenders
Ella
vs. Fury
(5–5) (17–17)
Ciara
vs. Dynamite
Event 4: Powerball
Male contenders
Shaun
vs. Bionic, Steel & Apollo
(2–0) (13–14)
Hinley
vs. Bionic, Steel & Apollo
Female contenders
Ella
vs. Fire, Dynamite & Diamond
(7–2) (24–19)
Ciara
vs. Fire, Dynamite & Diamond
The event was ended prematurely after a tackle resulted in Diamond injuring her right knee. Both contenders claimed the points they had earned up to that point.
Event 5: The Wall
Male contenders
Shaun
vs. Nitro
(5–10) (18–24)
Hinley
vs. Apollo
After this event Nitro pulled Shaun's sock which Bradley later used it to prank Apollo who chased him throughout the arena.
Female contenders
Ella
vs. Sabre
(10–5) (34–24)
Ciara
vs. Comet
Event 6: The Eliminator
Male contenders
Shaun
Hinley
Entering the Eliminator, the score was 18–24. This 6-point lead gave Hinley a 3-second head-start.
Winner Hinley
Female contenders
Ella
Ciara
Entering the Eliminator, the score was 34–24. This 10-point lead gave Ella a 5-second head-start. For unknown reasons, despite the male contenders going first in all the events prior, the female contenders went first in the Eliminator.
Winner Ella
27
5
"Heat 5"
14February2026(2026-02-14)
TBD
TBA
Events for the final heats include Duel and returning Crash Course.[18] Final set of contenders are Mo & Sid, Helena & Nikki. During the episode, injured Gladiator Legend was seen walking in, becoming an assistant referee; Lee Phillips did not feature in this episode and was replaced by Purvinder Kaur Shokar. This episode was made available on iPlayer from 4pm due to live FA Cup football.
Event 1: The Wall
Male contenders
Mo
vs. Apollo
(0–0) (0–0)
Sid
vs. Viper
Legend appeared instead of Viper but the referee did not allow Legend to climb with his sling but Viper did compete. During the post interview, Viper called Apollo "ugly" shouting "Sexy Beast, Viper!"
Female contenders
Helena
vs. Comet
(10–0) (10–0)
Nikki
vs. Sabre
Event 2: Unleash
Male contenders
Mo
vs. Hammer
(0–0) (0–0)
Sid
vs. Nitro
Nitro's Unleash debut. Sid completed the challenge incorrectly by not climbing up the stairs one step at a time. He was therefore disqualified and got no points.
Female contenders
Helena
vs. Fury
(0–0) (10–0)
Nikki
vs. Fire
Event 3: Crash Course
Male contenders
Mo
vs. Giant & Phantom
(5–10) (5–10)
Sid
vs. Giant & Phantom
Mo was originally not awarded any points but Phantom failed to release the contender against the barrier for three seconds so Mo was awarded 5 points.
Female contenders
Helena
vs. Fury & Cyclone
(0–10) (10–10)
Nikki
vs. Fury & Cyclone
Event 4: Duel
Male contenders
Mo
vs. Bionic
(0–0) (5–10)
Sid
vs. Apollo
Female contenders
Helena
vs. Electro
(0–0) (10–10)
Nikki
vs. Comet
Electro's Duel debut. Three duels ended up with contenders being disqualified after their pugil sticks made contact with the Gladiator's platforms. Sid lost by falling off normally.
Event 5: Gauntlet
Male contenders
Mo
vs. Hammer, Steel, Bionic, Phantom & Giant
(10–6) (15–16)
Sid
vs. Hammer, Steel, Bionic, Phantom & Giant
Legend interrupted the countdown before Mo started his attempt. During Sid's run, Phantom's release before the time ran out was deemed legal.
Female contenders
Helena
vs. Athena, Dynamite, Sabre, Electro & Cyclone
(6–10) (16–20)
Nikki
vs. Athena, Dynamite, Sabre, Electro & Cyclone
Athena's final appearance during the series, before discovering an ACL tear. During Nikki's run, Cyclone used her arm to hold Nikki and was disqualified, allowing the contender to complete the final zone unopposed.
Event 6: The Eliminator
Male contenders
Mo
Sid
Entering the Eliminator, the score was 15–16. This 1-point lead gave Sid a 0.5-second head-start. Sid stopped as Mo started his run. Also, Sid's attempt was mostly done with one shoe.
Winner Mo
Female contenders
Helena
Nikki
Entering the Eliminator, the score was 16–20. This 4-point lead gave Nikki a 2-second head-start. Nikki fell off the course twice and needed assistance with a ladder before tackling the red overhead ladders.
Winner Helena
28
6
"Quarter Final 1"
21February2026(2026-02-21)
TBD
TBA
Marking the start of the quarter finals, classical event Suspension Bridge returns.[25] Returning contenders from the heats are Mark & Tyler, Ellie & Naomi. The episode was made available on iPlayer from 6am due to a live Six Nations rugby union match.
Gladiators Bionic nor Fury were seen competing in this episode, and injured Legend did a skit on top of The Wall. Sonia Mkoloma did not referee Collision or Suspension Bridge and was replaced for these events by Purvinder Kaur Shokar. Lee Phillips was the sole assistant referee for the Eliminator.
NOTE: For the reason of Josh being reinstated after Mark was injured during Crash Course, the latter's scores will be reflected as if Josh were competing
Event 1: Collision
Male contenders
Mark
vs. Giant, Phantom, Apollo & Steel
(10–2) (10–2)
Tyler
vs. Giant, Phantom, Apollo & Steel
Female contenders
Ellie
vs. Comet, Electro, Dynamite & Cyclone
(2–4) (2–4)
Naomi
vs. Comet, Electro, Dynamite & Cyclone
Cyclone's Collision debut.
Event 2: Suspension Bridge
Male contenders
Mark
vs. Hammer
(0–0) (10–2)
Tyler
vs. Nitro
Female contenders
Ellie
vs. Fire
(0–0) (2–4)
Naomi
vs. Sabre
Due to Sabre and Naomi falling off the bridge at the same time, and as the rule says who touches the crash mat first, loses, Sabre was the victorious.
Event 3: Crash Course
Male contenders
Mark
vs. Apollo & Giant
(5–10) (15–12)
Tyler
vs. Apollo & Giant
Following this event, it was revealed that Mark tore his hamstring whilst trying to turn the Atlasphere on the final bend and ran against the direction of the spin. Following the women's event, it was revealed he was forced to withdraw and Josh took his place for the remainder of the competition. For some reason, likely due to this, the male contenders were shown going first in both this event and Destruction.
Female contenders
Ellie
vs. Electro & Comet
(0–10) (2–14)
Naomi
vs. Electro & Comet
Electro's debut inside an Atlasphere in Crash Course.
Event 4: Destruction
Male contenders
Josh
vs. Nitro
(0–10) (15–22)
Tyler
vs. Nitro
Female contenders
Ellie
vs. Sabre
(5–0) (7–14)
Naomi
vs. Sabre
Event 5: The Wall
Male contenders
Josh
vs. Hammer
(5–10) (20–32)
Tyler
vs. Viper
Female contenders
Ellie
vs. Cyclone
(10–5) (17–19)
Naomi
vs. Fire
Event 6: The Eliminator
Male contenders
Josh
Tyler
Entering the Eliminator, the score was 20–32. This 12-point lead gave Tyler a 6-second head-start.
Winner Josh
Female contenders
Ellie
Naomi
Entering the Eliminator, the score was 17–19. This 2-point lead gave Naomi a 1-second head-start.
Winner Naomi
Contenders progress
Colour key:
Series champions
Series runners-up
The contender won the episode and advanced
The contender was medically withdrawn from the competition
The contender lost the episode but was later the winner of the head-to-head Duel-off and therefore qualified[18]
The contender lost the episode and was eliminated
Contenders
Episodes
Heats
Quarter Finals
Semi Finals
Final
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Finn
WIN
—N/a
Naomi
WIN
—N/a
WIN
—N/a
Josh
FF
—N/a
WIN
—N/a
Emily
—N/a
WIN
—N/a
Millie
—N/a
FF
—N/a
Hinley
—N/a
WIN
—N/a
Ella
—N/a
WIN
—N/a
Shaun
—N/a
FF
—N/a
Mo
—N/a
WIN
—N/a
Helena
—N/a
WIN
—N/a
Tyler
—N/a
WIN
—N/a
OUT
—N/a
Ellie
—N/a
WIN
—N/a
OUT
—N/a
Mark
—N/a
WIN
—N/a
WDR
—N/a
Sid
—N/a
OUT
—N/a
Nikki
—N/a
OUT
—N/a
Ciara
—N/a
OUT
—N/a
Elliot
—N/a
OUT
—N/a
Jason
—N/a
OUT
—N/a
Gail
—N/a
OUT
—N/a
Rachael
OUT
—N/a
Gladiator injuries
The third season has seen the most amount of Gladiator injuries to date. Male Gladiator Legend (Matt Morsia) damaged his left bicep tendon during a failed tackle that resulted in him falling off The Edge on aired episode 1 (episodes are produced and aired in a different order).[21] Diamond (Livi Sheldon) suffered a major ACL and MCL tear during the fourth aired episode in Powerball,[26] sidelining her for the rest of the series as well.
Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains) was last seen competing in Gauntlet in Heat 5. After the filming, she was discovered she had a full ACL tear, in addition to LCL and MCL ruptures, forcing her to step off for a surgery. She wasn't seen on the Celebrity Special either due to this.[27] Bionic (Matty Campbell) received a shoulder injury in Quarter Finals stage, forcing him to withdraw from the remainder of the season as well. Fury (Jodie Ounsley) also mildly hurt her shoulder during the early Quarter Finals recordings, which required her to step out for few episodes, and makes only sparse appearances during the rest of the series.[26][28]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
