Gladiators Confirmed For Fourth BBC Series And New Celebrity Special
The BBC's rebooted arena contest returns in 2027 for a fourth series, with a fresh celebrity special and Bradley and Barney Walsh expected to remain as hosts of one of the broadcaster's biggest Saturday-night brands.
Sophie Bennett
Writer ·
The BBC's revival of Gladiators will return for a fourth series in 2027, with another celebrity special also planned, cementing the arena contest as one of the broadcaster's most reliable Saturday-night entertainment brands.
Public reports say Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh are expected to remain as hosts, with contenders again taking on the show's resident Gladiators across high-energy events before the climactic Eliminator.
Background
The new series is also expected to introduce a fresh event alongside established challenges such as Duel and Hang Tough. The latest commission keeps the rebooted format on a clear path after it successfully rebuilt the 1990s favourite for a family audience.
The renewal matters because Gladiators has become more than a nostalgia play. It gives the BBC a loud, physical studio format at a time when schedules are under pressure to deliver communal viewing moments.
What happens next
The celebrity special offers a flexible event episode capable of drawing casual viewers, social-media reaction and cross-generational interest, with full casting and broadcast details to follow ahead of the 2027 run.
Referenced coverage: Our reporting and analysis draws on coverage first reported by The Sun. The NE Times publishes original reporting and independent analysis written by our editorial team. We credit and link the outlets whose primary reporting informed this article.
The NE Times is an independent news and analysis publisher. Our articles combine factual reporting with clearly-written, impartial analysis. Content is for general information and does not constitute professional advice. Disclaimer.
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