January 13th 2024.
"Are you ready for some intense action? That's right, folks, Gladiators is back! In just a few hours, we'll be witnessing a new group of superhumans taking on a courageous set of contenders in a series of challenges that will test their speed, strength, and skill. Get ready to meet some epic names like Sabre, Fury, and Steel, following in the footsteps of the iconic Wolf, Jet, Hunter, and Lightening as the BBC brings back this beloved gameshow.
For those who may not remember, Gladiators originally aired from 1992 to 2000, with the lovely Ulrika Jonsson as our host on ITV. But now, we have the dynamic father-son duo of Bradley and Barney Walsh at the helm. And that's not all, folks! The legendary voice of Match of the Day, Guy Mowbray, will be joining the team as the commentator. But let's not forget about the referees, shall we? Here's everything you need to know about them.
First up, we have Matt Clattenburg, one of England's top referees, joining Lee Phillips and Sonia Mkoloma in the arena. Matt has been a Premier League referee since 2004 and has also officiated international fixtures as a FIFA-listed referee since 2006. He has an impressive resume, having overseen major events such as the 2012 Men's Olympics Final, the 2012 Carabao Cup Final, and the 2016 FA Cup. When asked about his new role, Matt shared, "It was quite exciting. I remember watching the show back in the 90s, and everyone knew who the referee was - John Anderson. So, when I got the call to say I was going to be the new referee on Gladiators, it was such an amazing thing and probably one of the best things I've ever done in my life."
Next, we have Sonia Mkoloma, a former English international netball player who now works as the England Netball Assistant Head coach. She was ecstatic when she found out she would be a referee for Gladiators. "I started smiling because I thought it was a joke at first. I love Gladiators, so it was a shock and a surprise, but I was super excited," she shared. When asked about the arena where the live shows are filmed, Sonia added, "It was overwhelming, simply amazing. I guess you never see it from the other side, but it was just so impressive, the way it was set up and ready to go."
Last but certainly not least, we have Lee Phillips, a fitness professional, firefighter, and athlete, as the final referee. Lee has competed in firefighter fitness competitions all around the world and has even won gold in the Ultimate Firefighter and CrossFit competitions. When he received the call about being an assistant referee for Gladiators, he was over the moon. "I was really excited. I got involved in helping run the fitness tests for try-outs for both the Gladiators and contenders, but when I got the call about being an assistant referee, I was really excited," Lee shared.
For those who remember the original series, you'll know that John Anderson was the referee back then. After working as a teacher and coach for Commonwealth Games and Olympic athletes, he became a beloved figure on Gladiators known for his iconic lines, "Contender ready! Gladiator ready!" He even made guest appearances on episodes of Top Gear with Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc.
So, there you have it - a brief introduction to the referees of the new Gladiators. Get ready to cheer on your favorite contenders and watch them take on the superhuman Gladiators in thrilling challenges. Don't forget to tune in to the BBC and iPlayer on Saturday, January 13, at 5.50pm for all the action.
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And before we go, here's some extra tidbits for you Gladiators fans: Ever wondered where the original cast is now? Don't worry; we've got you covered. And for those who are curious about the deaf Gladiators star and the BBC reboot, you'll be happy to know that she's shattered a huge misconception. Lastly, Ulrika Jonsson has expressed her disappointment with the "woke rubbish" in the Gladiators reboot. Looks like we're in for some exciting and controversial moments on the show - can't wait!"
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