Viewers of the Gladiators reboot on the BBC have been very happy with the show's return, with some describing it as "class" and "proper Saturday night family TV".
Just two weeks into the show coming back it has earned some favourable comparisons to the 1990s original.
The father and son duo of Bradley and Barney Walsh present the show, with football commentator Guy Mowbray describing the action and former referee Mark Clattenburg overseeing the events.
After earning more than six million viewers for the first episode on Saturday, January 13 the second episode was quite well-received from those watching.
Gladiators Ready! Here’s your first look at the Gladiators line up. These 16 phenomenal Gladiators, in their impressive new costumes, are ready to take on the Contenders.
— Gladiators (@GladiatorsTV) May 31, 2023
Are you ready? #Gladiators #GladiatorsTV pic.twitter.com/mzBEOpk5tx
BBC Gladiators reboot earns much praise from viewers
The nostalgia for many of the original Gladiators has thankfully not been tarnished for many viewers, with the reboot earning positive comparisons with the original show.
One person on X, formerly known as Twitter, posted: "Said it last week and i’ll say it again, the new #Gladiators is class! Proper Saturday night family tv. 5 year old daughter loves it."
Another wrote: "I love being transported back to 1998 on a Saturday evening."
Meanwhile, one person shared: "Good to see that #Gladiators is just as physical now and it was in the 90s."
One person made note of the over-the-top nature of the programme, writing: "I love how camp this show is. Love how camp the villains are. I just bloody love it all."
A few people were happy with the show's return but were not so happy with its presenters.
Recommended reading:
- Gladiators fans share same Bradley Walsh complaint just minutes into show
- Meet the cast of the Gladiators BBC reboot
One person posted: "I'm really enjoying this new #Gladiators, but Barney Walsh is a weird choice for a presenter ain't he."
Another wrote: "The child in me is chuffed that #Gladiators is back but the presenters are bringing it down."
Some people weren't so happy with the quality of the actual gladiators themselves though, with one person writing: "Gotta be the worst #gladiators goin these "gladiators" would get destroyed by the 90s crew."
Gladiators is available to watch on BBC One on Saturdays at 5.50pm as well as on BBC iPlayer.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel