- 4 weeks ago
Gladiators Celebrity Christmas Special 2025
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00:00Merry Christmas and welcome to Gladiators Celebrity Special!
00:05Sheffield Arena, make some noise for your ho-ho hosts, Bradley and Barney Walsh!
00:25Hello Sheffield!
00:30Hello, what a crowd! We are back for a very special episode of...
00:34Gladiators!
00:37Yeah!
00:38Tonight we have four famous faces taking on the Gladiators for a chance to be crowned our Celebrity Champion.
00:45But are they prepared to get whacked on the head with a massive lollipop?
00:49Let's not keep them waiting any longer and meet the first of tonight's star contenders.
00:54I'm Sam Thompson, I'm from London and I've done too much but I'd say I'm a podcaster.
01:01The only thing I can correlate to doing something like this is the UNICEF Challenge where I ran from London to Manchester, 260 miles in five days.
01:10That was different because in your mind you just have to go, I can't fail this, like I have to keep going forward because I'm just going to let too many people down.
01:19The only person I'm going to let down on this is me.
01:22I'm 5'8".
01:23Hammer's like ten foot tall.
01:25Do you know what someone said to me? I'm going to aim for the head. How?
01:32I tell you what, the bad ears better watch out.
01:35Because I'm going to be up and down this corridor begging you to not go too hard on me.
01:43I'm Joe Wicks. I'm 39 years old from EPSA in Surrey.
01:48I think most people will remember me and recognise me from the PE with Joe work as I did during lockdown.
01:53Keep jumping.
01:54In all honesty, I'm living a childhood dream here.
01:56I was born in 1985, so through the 90s, this show on a Saturday night was the biggest thing on TV.
02:00And I've got so many positive memories of just sitting there watching this.
02:03So to be here taking part as a contender is unbelievable.
02:08I can't pretend that I'm not scared.
02:10I have no idea if I can take a hit, to be honest.
02:12I've never really like, you know, been in a fight or had a punch up or had like a 20 stone bodybuilder come at me with a big cotton budge.
02:18You know what I mean? I don't know what's going to happen.
02:20Please welcome Joe Wicks and Sam Thompson!
02:41Sam, welcome to the show. Say hi to Sheffield!
02:44Hello Sheffield! Come on! Yes!
02:49Now look, Sam, you're a sporty guy, aren't you?
02:52It's all smoke and mirrors, mate.
02:54What events do you not want to take on?
02:56The duel, it just looks so scary.
02:59I weigh about 70 kg.
03:01A gust of wind would blow me off.
03:03I'm terrified.
03:04I think actually I want to do the wall because I'm quite nimble, mate.
03:07Who would you want to face on the wall?
03:09Who would I want to face? Someone big.
03:11I reckon like Hammer.
03:12Give me Hammer on the wall because he can't be that quick on it, surely.
03:15That's fighting words from Sam, guys.
03:17Okay, if you were a gladiator, what would your name be?
03:20I'm the Cockroach.
03:25You can't get rid of me.
03:26You don't know where I'm nesting and I'll always return.
03:29You can't stand me out, baby!
03:34Not even the hammer can get me!
03:36Ladies and gentlemen, it's the Cockroach!
03:39Welcome, welcome to the show and into your arena, Joe.
03:45Please introduce yourself to Sheffield.
03:48I'm Joe Wicks, 39 years old, and I'm a fitness coach from Epsom!
03:52Come on!
03:54Now, you got the nation through the pandemic.
03:57Talk us through that, come on.
03:58It was a difficult time and I always say, you know,
04:00my proudest achievement in life is getting all them people,
04:02families and kids, moving.
04:04We've got to focus on exercise and looking after our mental health.
04:07So this is why I'm here, I want to inspire people.
04:09Yeah, that's exactly it.
04:10All right.
04:11Talking of families and friends.
04:13Is your family here with you?
04:14I'm so excited to see my mum, my dad, my brothers.
04:17I've got me little boy, Marley, over there!
04:19Love you, Marley!
04:20Yes!
04:21All the families here, it's all happening.
04:22And if you were a gladiator, what would your name be?
04:24I am...
04:25Activate!
04:26Activate!
04:27Okay.
04:29It's wonderful to have you on, gladiators.
04:32Have you any last words?
04:34I mean, have you ever...
04:35Have you got a message for the gladiators?
04:37I'm known as the nation's PE teacher.
04:39So today, I'm going out there and teach every single one of them gladiators
04:42a lesson they're never going to forget.
04:44Yes!
04:45Joe Ricks, everybody!
04:52Well, I tell you, they've trained, they've stretched,
04:54they've practised their fighting talk,
04:56but can they take on 130 kilos of pure muscle?
04:59Good luck, celebs!
05:00The first event starts now!
05:03Duel!
05:05The first event male celebrity is on the dual podium.
05:08It's Sam!
05:09And he is up against Giant!
05:10How's this for a Christmas present?
05:24Giant's back!
05:25Not sure he'd fit under my tree, though.
05:27A bicep injury meant he missed most of last series,
05:30but he's here now and stronger than ever.
05:33Giant says the celebrity he'd most like to duel against is The Rock.
05:38Sam, maybe more of a pebble.
05:41Sam hosts the Staying Relevant podcast.
05:44In Duel, it's more about staying upright.
05:50Over to the referee team, led by Mark Clattenburg,
05:53who, as always, is joined by Sonia McLomer and Lee Phillips.
05:58Contender ready!
06:01Gladiator ready!
06:10En garde!
06:20Three, two, one!
06:22A very smiley Sam has the first couple of hits at Giant,
06:26who blocks them as casually as you like before biffing Sam with the first hit of his own.
06:32Sam managed to withstand it, and he's doing really well up there.
06:36Not sure his hits are actually hurting Giant,
06:39but he might have a chance of going the distance here.
06:42Rocking backwards, but staying on the podium.
06:45Eight seconds, seven!
06:46Go on, Sam, you can do it!
06:48Giant trying to finish the job now.
06:50Sam is wobbling, and with one second to go, he's down!
07:01Two mighty blows to finish him off.
07:03Sam was cooked.
07:05Like the Christmas turkey!
07:07Flame grilled!
07:10If you'd have stayed on one second more, we had one second left,
07:14you'd have scored five points.
07:17Yes!
07:18Do you know what?
07:19It was not even the head hitting, it's the tiredness.
07:22Yeah.
07:23Dude, I'm so tired!
07:24I've got to go for like a right.
07:26It just hits like something, and he just looks at me as if,
07:29is that what you've got?
07:32He was toying with you.
07:33I know!
07:34100%.
07:35A little bit, but I'll tell you what, he's been eating his turkey, Brad.
07:37Here are some strong hits, so a round of applause for Sam.
07:40Yes!
07:41Great job.
07:42Sadly, no points.
07:44Onward and upward to the next event.
07:46That is Sam, everyone!
07:47Sadly, no points.
07:48And of course, Giants!
07:57Next to duel, it is Joe!
08:02And he is going to battle with Viper!
08:14Well, it's good to see that Viper hasn't changed,
08:19and a little bit scary to see as well.
08:23I expect Viper got a lump of coal in his stocking this year.
08:27Same as last year, and the year before, and the year before.
08:31And he's taking on our national treasure of a PE teacher,
08:35Joe Wings, a.k.a. Activate.
08:38Please try not to break him, Viper.
08:43Contender, ready!
08:50Gladiator, ready!
08:57En garde!
08:583, 2, 1!
09:10Viper with the first hit, but did it come before the whistle?
09:13Joe is down, and Viper celebrates!
09:16But I suspect that will be looked at closely by Mark Clattenberg.
09:21You can hear what the arena thinks as Viper hurls his gloves down
09:25and defeated Joe.
09:29Two hits from Viper to break Joe's heart.
09:33But did they come before the start?
09:37I'm seeing stars, boy!
09:38That was really hard.
09:40I was gonna...
09:41So, I just weren't ready for it.
09:42When that first thing is inside your head, you just...
09:44Everything... Well, I felt like I was upside down.
09:46I'm going on the opposite side.
09:48Yeah, stay away from Viper, that's why I'm all the way over here.
09:50Sure.
09:51Viper went before the whistle.
09:55What does that mean? What does that mean?
09:57Therefore, I'm disqualifying you.
09:59Oh!
10:01So I can award Joe five points.
10:04Put it there, bro.
10:06We'll have that all day long.
10:08Honestly, I cannot believe how it did felt a bit quick,
10:10and I landed on my head as well to make it worse.
10:12Look, two, one, you see that?
10:14Yeah, yeah.
10:15You see, the number was still on the screen, number one.
10:17It wasn't ready.
10:18And there's your evidence, you can't deny that.
10:19Look, it's there.
10:20You're out of order, mate.
10:21You're out of order, mate.
10:22You're out of order.
10:23Vipes, the footage doesn't lie.
10:25Joe Wick, you like teaching kids.
10:29I hate kids.
10:32Rogers, every single one used.
10:37Whoa!
10:38He's nuts.
10:40That's an angry little man.
10:43He needs a cuddle.
10:44He does need a cuddle.
10:45Well, look.
10:46Five points to you, Joe.
10:48Put it there, mate.
10:49Vipers definitely still on the naughty list,
10:53but he's gifted Joe the lead.
10:55After the first event, he has five points.
10:58Sam yet to score.
11:00Let us meet our next pair of celebrity contenders.
11:04I'm Nicola Adams, I'm 42, from Leeds.
11:09I was the first ever women's Olympic boxing champion.
11:12I defended my title in 2016 to win gold again.
11:16Turned professional, became WBO world champion,
11:19and now I'm an actor.
11:21I retired from boxing in 2019.
11:24I still work out, still stay in shape,
11:26still like to go into the gym, you know,
11:28keep the guns looking good.
11:30I'm very strong, fast on my feet,
11:34very good hand-eye coordination.
11:37The gladiators are very professional,
11:39so I'm sure they're not scared,
11:41but once they see me perform out there,
11:43they will be.
11:45What is losing?
11:47I'm never lost in my life.
11:49I'm a two-time Olympic boxing champion.
11:51I retired a few years ago.
11:53But you know what?
11:54I can still pack a punch.
12:00My name is Vogue Williams.
12:02I am 39.
12:04I'm from Dublin in Ireland,
12:06and I'm a podcaster.
12:08And I actually thought it was so funny that I was like,
12:10I'm not actually going to tell you that.
12:12Nice to see you,
12:13but did you really have to kiss me in front of my...
12:15Stop!
12:16The reaction of my family when I tell them
12:18I was going to be a contender in gladiators
12:20was severe jealousy.
12:22It is something we grew up watching.
12:23I loved it.
12:25My upward body strength is embarrassing.
12:32The one thing I'm really concerned about is the rope,
12:35because I can't lift myself up,
12:36because most of my weight is down the lower half of my body.
12:39I want to do well in everything.
12:41I want to compete.
12:42I want to try to win.
12:44And if I don't win,
12:45I'm just going to rob you blind of costumes,
12:48and that was true.
12:50Give a warm welcome to Nicola Adams and Vogue Williams!
13:13Welcome to the show, Nicola.
13:15Introduce yourself to the arena.
13:17I'm Nicola Adams, I'm 42.
13:19from Leeds,
13:20and I'm an actor,
13:21an Olympic champion!
13:22Yes!
13:24Olympic champion!
13:26The first ever
13:27female
13:28gold medal
13:29boxing champion!
13:31What a bummer!
13:34What events are you looking to take on?
13:36I'm really looking forward to the gauntlet.
13:38Oh, yeah.
13:39Bit of you, that.
13:40Yeah, yeah.
13:41I want to test the gladiators.
13:43Any gladiators you fear?
13:46I fear no one.
13:50Let's hear it for Nicola Adams!
13:55Vogue, welcome to the show.
13:56Say hi to the arena.
13:57Hello, champion!
13:59Legends!
14:01Now, listen, Vogue, I've got to ask you.
14:03Are you sporty?
14:04I would like to say I'm a little bit sporty.
14:06Probably not that sporty, but sporty in my own way.
14:08Do you think you can survive this?
14:10I think that I'm really good at beating Olympians, actually.
14:14That was who I beat in Bear Grylls, yeah!
14:17Yeah, you beat two Olympians in Bear Grylls.
14:19I know, and I like to collect them, so I'm looking for a third!
14:22Some fighting words here!
14:28Okay, that being said, what do you want to take on?
14:30What do you not want to take on?
14:31I'm a bit worried about the climbing wall, upper body strength not there.
14:34Not mad about being chased by anyone, particularly a gladiator.
14:38Imagine doing the Eliminator, like, I've always, I've wanted to do that since I was eight, so yeah, all of it.
14:43Well, look, you're gonna do the Eliminator, that's guaranteed at the end of the show.
14:46Yeah, I can't wait.
14:50Massive round of applause to Nicola and Vogue!
14:54Well, those are our female celebrities, so now it's time for them to take on...
14:59Duel!
15:02Oh yes, playing duel for the female celebrities, it's Nicola!
15:08And she is up against... Fury!
15:22She's back, and just as ferocious as ever!
15:29If Fury could be an animal, she says she'd be a koala bear, because they're so friendly.
15:34Well, let's see about that, shall we?
15:38Undefeated in the pro boxing ring, but will Nicola make it through gladiators without losing?
15:47Contender, ready!
15:53Gladiator, ready!
15:55En garde!
15:56Three, two, one!
15:57One-on-one combat, just how Nicola likes it, but she's not enjoying these blows from Fury, and falls onto her podium, which means it's over, before she even got started.
16:16With boxing gloves, the best!
16:17With boxing gloves, the best! With a pugil stick, second best! I'd say, that's a knockout!
16:33Oh, Nicola, I've got it for you!
16:37I am as well, I was a little bit off balance when she caught me, and then that was it.
16:41Well, I guess you're used to getting hit around the head, but not with a pugil stick.
16:44Yeah, no, it was very, very different, but you know what? Another Yorkshire person, you know, I don't mind, I don't mind.
16:51And not only that, I was very excited for this, because you're both great British athletes at the top of your field, so this was about and a half.
16:57Well, I've got to be honest, Nicola, if you told my 12-year-old self that I'm going to be on the podium with my childhood hero, I won't believe you.
17:09Yeah, and I remember, 12-year-old me, I was watching you at 2012 Olympics, you were so powerful, so physical.
17:17Thank you for inspiring me when I was little.
17:20That is Nicola, and of course, our gladiator, Fury.
17:32Next on the podium, pugil stick in hand, it's Vogue!
17:37And she is taking on Sabre!
17:50On Christmas morning, Sabre likes to rip up all her paper, knock over her tree, and hide in a cardboard box. All totally normal.
18:03Vogue says she has most of her weight in her lower body. Good, good. A stable base is exactly what you need to stay on that podium.
18:11Contender, ready!
18:19Gladiator, ready!
18:25En garde!
18:35Three, two, one!
18:37Vogue is a very confident contender. Sabre's going to try and knock that out of her, and knock her off the podium. Very quickly, indeed.
18:48Sabre is on Vogue. Vogue is on the floor.
18:57No gifts from Sabre, even at Christmas. She shows no mercy.
19:02Sabre, do you know what? You're a snake. You are a snake. She stood up there and she goes,
19:09I'm only going to go a little bit hard. Straight to the face.
19:12Girl, that was only a little. That was 10% of what I got.
19:15That was straight in the face.
19:19Did anyone notice that little sly dig to the head there, right before the whistle?
19:23Oh, I tell you what, I think that was right on the button.
19:26Right in the button, babe. I wouldn't do that. I'm not a cheat, okay?
19:28That last shot of mine was right on the button too, wasn't it, maybe?
19:32Yeah.
19:33Can I have a go at your ears, please?
19:35Watch this.
19:37Wolverine.
19:39It's great. It's great.
19:42Better luck in the next event, Vogue sagging no points, but Sabre, everyone! What about that?
19:46Can you smell that?
19:49Whilst Vogue and Sabre settle their differences outside the arena, let's take a look at the scores, which won't take long.
19:56Both contenders still working off their Christmas dinner. It's scoreless.
19:59Now, last series. One of our gladiators was left cheering on from the sidelines.
20:08But, this year he's back, fighting fit and faster than ever.
20:12Fully charged and ready to go.
20:14Sheffield, go wild for the one and only, Nitro!
20:18Come on! I'm back! Are you ready? Are you ready?
20:31Come on! Woo! Come on!
20:36Now that's what I wanted for Christmas. Nitro's back and raring to go.
20:41We'll see him very soon.
20:48I think it's safe to say we're so happy that he's back.
20:52Look, our celebrities are all high-flyers in their chosen field.
20:55So are the gladiators.
20:57And when you're at the top of your game, you have much further to fall.
21:00A bit like our next event. It's...
21:02Collision!
21:05Collision.
21:06Playing collision for the male contenders. It's Sam!
21:12And he needs to avoid Phantom and Apollo.
21:21Never one to ghost the competition?
21:24Phantom is set for a full-on collision with our celebrity contenders.
21:28Apollo's favourite Christmas film is Elf.
21:32He's no cotton-headed ninny-muggins.
21:34And facing him might be bad for our celebrities.
21:37Elf.
21:40And opposite them will be these two.
21:45Bionic wants human emotions.
21:47Well, he's programmed to win,
21:49so I'm sure he'll unwrap some euphoria very soon.
21:52Steel firmly believes that Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
21:56Now there's a debate.
21:58Another time, maybe.
21:59He's got work to do.
22:02Contender!
22:04Ready!
22:07Gladiators!
22:09Ready!
22:13Three!
22:14Two!
22:16One!
22:17Okay, Sam, what have you got?
22:18Because I think we know what you're going to get.
22:21He's providing his own soundtrack as he tries to dodge the swinging gladiators.
22:25Puts the brakes on nicely and goes again.
22:28Mark Klanberg will have a word and tell him to keep moving,
22:30but he has at least made his first score.
22:33Two points on the board for Sam.
22:35Well, he does call himself a cockroach, so crawling is one way across.
22:39If they steal nicely there and gets in for another two points,
22:45Sam's getting the hang of this now.
22:46Or maybe he's too confident.
22:47There's a shout of move from the ref.
22:50And the showboating didn't last much longer.
22:53You don't do that to gladiators and get away with it.
22:56Down you go, Sam.
22:58Oh!
23:02Is that you?
23:06A gutsy run from Sam, but once he got the one, two, three from Bionic,
23:11his legs wouldn't compute anymore.
23:13That was class! That was so much fun!
23:16Wow!
23:18He's enormous!
23:19They're all enormous, they're all enormous.
23:20I've got to say as well, one of you was hanging there,
23:24I was just looking you in the eyes going,
23:27I don't know what to do, he's so big!
23:29I really panicked!
23:30To be knocked off the bridge by someone like you, mate,
23:32weirdly is a pleasure.
23:34I think that's the first time a contender's ever said that.
23:38Bionic, you were the one that got him off.
23:40He launched himself at me like he wanted a cuddle.
23:43And I've never seen anyone so happy on collision
23:47in my entire life.
23:48We've got a cuddle in the end, didn't we?
23:50We've got a cuddle in the end.
23:51Oh look, that's four points for Sam!
24:02Next to face, collision.
24:04It's Joe!
24:09Contender, ready!
24:14Gladiators, ready!
24:19Three, two, one!
24:23Now I don't know about you, but I'm expecting Joe to be really nimble across the collision bridge.
24:29And he's nicely past the first two gladiators trying to knock him down to the floor.
24:33Phantom's knocked the ball from his hands so he can't score with that one.
24:37Has to take a fresh red ball and go back the other way.
24:39Impressive swerving from Joe who's got really good core strength with that wobbly bridge beneath him.
24:46He throws that ball into the net for his first two points.
24:50Now Joe seems to be getting the hang of it, but he's in a spin here!
24:53Almost knocked off.
24:56Phantom swings and misses.
24:57Joe gets in to make it four.
25:00Now how many more could he score?
25:02He's given Phantom the slip again.
25:05But then a bit of a stumble from Joe.
25:07He's trying to make the best of it by crawling his way underneath the gladiators swinging feet.
25:11Look at Sonya giving him some real encouragement.
25:15Oh, Joe's dropped the ball again.
25:17He'll have to go across the bridge and I don't think he's going to have any time to score any more points.
25:22No, the game is up.
25:24Joe is left stranded on six.
25:26But a great effort to at least stay the course.
25:32He took blows from Bionic.
25:34He had brushes with steel.
25:36He was dropping the ball.
25:38It was all happening for Joe.
25:42That's exhausting. So much harder than it looks.
25:44Yeah, so much harder than it looks.
25:45Three balls in, six points.
25:47Brilliant stuff.
25:48Are you happy with that?
25:49I'll take it. I'm happy with that.
25:50Yeah, no, absolutely. It's a good start.
25:52Good contender.
25:54Absolutely. I'm going to crown him as not-so-average Joe.
25:57But I've got to say as well, how good is it?
25:59We are back!
26:02Well done, Joe, everyone!
26:03Good one up for Joe!
26:05After two events, Joe activates a seven-point lead.
26:08He's on eleven, while Sam has four.
26:14Look at this side.
26:16What? This is better than our best, man!
26:17This is sick!
26:18Oh, my ice cake!
26:19Who's this?
26:20Steel.
26:21Yeah, they're approved.
26:22Have some of them.
26:23They're approved!
26:24I want to see you.
26:25Stick one in their outfits, see if you feel like a proper bellyache.
26:27Shop of giants!
26:29It's getting loose, isn't it?
26:30Yeah, it's fine.
26:32Yeah, go straight through.
26:33That's it.
26:35I'll keep an eye on him.
26:36If he comes in, I'm going to smash him.
26:38Oh, Matt, it's a little baggy on the crotch.
26:42Do I look like a giant?
26:43You look good, but you need to pump the chest up, mate.
26:45You need more of a divot, more of a dent in the chest.
26:47Here we go, that's it.
26:48The thing is, they do walk around like this, don't they?
26:50Yeah, they're definitely tense.
26:51Here we go, ready?
26:52Let's hit it.
26:54Oh, oh!
26:55Oh!
26:56Oh!
26:57Oh!
26:58No!
26:59No!
27:00No!
27:01No!
27:02No!
27:03No!
27:04Put me down!
27:05Get out of here!
27:06No!
27:07It's the most humiliating thing on the end!
27:09Get out of here!
27:10Hell yeah!
27:13Playing collision for the female contenders.
27:16Give it up for Nicola!
27:20And she's going to have to dodge Sabre and Electro.
27:24These two gladiators form a real power couple.
27:28Electro is a collision veteran, so these celebrities,
27:31well, they're in for a shock.
27:35And joining them are Fire and Comet.
27:40Winter's normally the time to get cosy by a fire.
27:44Just knock this one.
27:49Contender ready!
27:51Gladiators, ready!
27:54Gladiators, ready!
27:59Three, two, one!
28:02So, Nicola's turn to take on the collision bridge, or just take it apart.
28:06How easy was that?
28:07Two points scored straight away.
28:10Hello.
28:11And she's having a chat with the gladiators.
28:13A friendly greeting.
28:14It nearly came back to bite and knocked off her feet.
28:17But a good recovery from Nicola, who is absolutely loving it up there.
28:22Bob and Weave.
28:23Well, this is all part of a boxer's training.
28:26Six points scored, and surely more to come.
28:29The gladiators have made contact with Nicola a few times, but she's been more than strong enough to see them off.
28:37And she's certainly quick enough, and she should be happy enough with her efforts here.
28:43She's got time to make it ten points if she can evade the gladiators once more.
28:47She might even make it twelve.
28:49There's ten!
28:50Go on, Nicola!
28:51Ten seconds left on the clock.
28:53A little more hesitant this time, Nicola.
28:56And she's slowing.
28:57The stumble won't help.
28:59I think she's gonna run out of time now.
29:03That's it!
29:04Ten points scored!
29:06We don't see that on collision often.
29:11There were a few close calls, but Nicola rolled with the punches.
29:14Well, the kicks anyway.
29:16What else could we have expected?
29:21A brilliant performance.
29:23Getting the gladiator is a run for the money!
29:25That's exactly what it is.
29:26That's what you've gotta do.
29:28And Sabre, Nicola put you in a right spin.
29:30She really did.
29:31You're probably a bit more used to fist flying at your face and feet.
29:34Yeah.
29:35But you're not in the ring now, babe.
29:36You're in the arena and we're just getting warmed up.
29:37Yeah, what do you say that?
29:39You are the undefeated champion of the world here on the collision for us, aren't you?
29:44Oh!
29:45Can you say that again just to make sure they hear that?
29:47Yeah.
29:48I said the undefeated collision champion of the world.
29:51There you go.
29:52Five crossings, ten points!
29:55Unbelievable!
29:56Michael Adams, everyone!
29:58Of course, our brilliant gladiators.
30:03Next up on collision, it's Vogue!
30:06Contender!
30:07Ready!
30:08Gladiators!
30:09Ready!
30:10Three!
30:11Two!
30:12One!
30:13Let's see if Vogue can last longer on the collision bridge than she managed on the dual podium.
30:29Well, it's not a bad start, is it?
30:30She's huffed and puffed her way across to two points.
30:32Now carefully studying the gladiators.
30:33Working out when best to time the run.
30:34And it looks as though she's done it.
30:35She's across for four.
30:36Vogue's getting the hang of this.
30:37She's finding a nice rhythm now.
30:38Oh, but she's got to make sure she hangs onto the ball.
30:39One!
30:40One!
30:41One!
30:42Very good!
30:43You need reminding of just how difficult collision is.
30:47Listen to Vogue's breathing.
30:49This is taking a lot out of her.
30:50She does though still have time for more scores.
30:53Evading Electro, fighting fire all the time,
30:54to run!
30:55You're a great boy, you're a great boy.
30:56Go, go, go!
30:57Oh!
30:58One!
30:59Oh!
31:00One!
31:01Two!
31:02One!
31:03Two!
31:04One!
31:05One!
31:06One!
31:07One!
31:08One!
31:09One!
31:10keeping an eye on Comet. Now Vogue has to get back to her feet and go. Sonya
31:14McLama waving her towards the net. Two more points scored. I don't know if she's got the
31:20energy to get back one more time. Three, two, one. That's it for Vogue. One last shot for
31:28luck. Well saved, Mark. Vogue's height meant a lot of time ducking low, but she's scored
31:37pretty high. Six is very respectable. Now to be here up against the gladiators, like,
31:44how does it feel? I mean, genuinely this is a childhood dream. We used to batter each other
31:50at home trying to be gladiators and I think it's kind of prepared me for a little bit of a beating
31:55in here. How is she as a contender? She is absolutely great because you smashed her.
31:58That is six points to Vogue. Thank you to Vogue and our gladiators.
32:07Finally, some Christmas cheer. Both celebrities are on the board and not for the first time.
32:14Nicola's ahead on points. Our next event is The Wall and the key to success here is...
32:20Get a massive ladder. No, it's strength and determination. Ladder all day long.
32:24It's The Wall. I'm getting a ladder. What is wrong with you?
32:28The Wall. Climbing the wall for the male contenders. In red, it is Joe.
32:35And in blue, it is Sam. And hunting them down will be Metro and Hammer.
32:47Hammer!
33:02I hope Hammer climbs better than he dances because he might have something to prove to Sam.
33:08Is he too big to climb fast? Or has Sam talked too much?
33:14Hammer excels at clobbering contenders, but he can knock out a perfect hem too.
33:19With his size and speed, he's tailor-made for this event.
33:22Back the streets, right? All right!
33:26Contenders, ready!
33:29Let's go!
33:32Gladiators, ready!
33:35Let's go!
33:37Contenders, you will go on my first whistle.
33:39Gladiators, you will go on my second whistle.
33:43Three, two, one!
33:46Away they go, and Joe in red will have to climb particularly quickly because Nitro's back,
33:52and this is one of his best events. It's wonderful to see him back. I'm not sure that Joe will agree.
33:57He's on him already, and he's got a hold of the harness, as on the other side, Sam just keeps out
34:03of the clutches of Hammer. Maybe he was right. He could be about to beat him on the wall.
34:09There'll be no beating Nitro, though. Joe is off, and that leaves the way clear for Sam's
34:15to haul himself over the top for ten points. Sam nails Hammer and the wall.
34:22Joe caught by a re-energized Nitro.
34:26Sam, I've got one thing to say to you. You made it to the top of the wall!
34:32Wow! I feel like a little whippet. That was mad. I'd already just fall off things.
34:37Well, look, you've done so well there. That's a massive ten points.
34:40Yeah!
34:43Bam on the floor here with Joe. You're up against Nitro.
34:46Once you lose that foot and you lose momentum, he had me. He's a strong guy. He's a unit.
34:51I won't get in away from him then. Nitro, how does it feel to be back?
34:54It feels absolutely amazing to be back home in Sheffield.
34:59But look, my guy slips. And when you slip on this wall, it's so unforgiving.
35:04So I've got to give him massive props. Let's hear it for Joe. Come on!
35:07Yes!
35:09Sam as well, obviously. What happened there, mate? You had a shocker, if you don't mind me saying.
35:14Yeah, he did go to plan. You know what? His nickname should be Squirrel,
35:16the way he went up there. You know what I mean?
35:18Yeah.
35:19My thanks to Nitro, Hammer, Joe, and of course, ten points for Sam.
35:28Well, well, the cockroach climbs into the lead. After three events, Sam has 14 points. Joe's on 11.
35:36Time now for the female contenders. On the left-hand side, it is Nicola.
35:41And on the right-hand side, it's Vogue. And they have got to get away from Dynamite and Cyclone.
36:01Cyclone straight across to get in Vogue's face, but she's not phased. It's time for the
36:10all-island games. This will be Cyclone's debut on the wall. The wall should be worried.
36:19Dynamite is small and mighty, and she's ready to have a ripping time.
36:29Contenders, ready!
36:34Gladiators, ready!
36:36You will go on my first whistle. Gladiators, you will go on my second whistle.
36:45Three, two, one!
36:47Upper body strength was Vogue's big concern. We know that won't be a problem for Nicola.
36:53They're both climbing really well from the start, though, but here we go.
36:57Vogue's been caught by Cyclone, and Dynamite has got to hold on Nicola.
37:02How long can they hold on? It's not about the climbing anymore. Oh, really good adjustment
37:08from Nicola, but Vogue has gone. Now Nicola's clinging on with everything she's got, with Dynamite
37:14hanging off her. But that's it. It's all over on the wall,
37:20with neither of our celebrity contenders scoring any points at all.
37:28There's a record I hear, Barnes. There is. It's a new record. It's the quickest
37:31takedown from the wall we've ever seen from Gladiators!
37:35I'm so sorry! No, don't do that! Sorry. I've got to ask you first, though, Vogue.
37:41Intimidating tactics from Cyclone in your face. I mean, honestly, I've never seen such behaviour, Cyclone.
37:49Very, very quick indeed. Out of the blocks, what do you think?
37:51Er, this is actually my wall debut.
37:54I don't think anyone would expect a 5'10", 96-kilo stallion to be able to move that fast, but clearly I can.
38:12That might not have been our thing, but wait for the next one. You're going down, especially you.
38:17See you, Vogue!
38:25While Cyclone sweeps Vogue away, let's take a look at the scores.
38:30And with nothing gained from the wall, Nicola still leads by 10 points to six.
38:37Next up, it's Gauntlet. And this one is very physical, and there's a chance people could get hurt.
38:43But what kind of person wants to watch celebrities being battered by a gang of superheroes?
38:49It's Gauntlet!
38:54Daring to take on the Gauntlet for the male contenders, it's Sam!
39:02He'll be facing this fearsome five.
39:04FANTOM, NITRO, STEEL, BIONIC, AND APOLLO!
39:28Having taken down Joe on the wall,
39:30NITRO now has the chance to defeat Sam too. Can he stamp out the cockroach for good?
39:40CONTENDER, READY!
39:46GLADIATORS, READY!
39:51THREE, TWO, ONE!
39:55I wonder if ever bouncy Sam will still be cheerful by the end of this.
40:00Well, he's managed to get past the first two zones, away from Steel and into Phantom.
40:05He's wriggling about in there is Sam, but he's done the job well so far.
40:10Now, only Apollo to beat, and he's got there! A dive over the line from Sam, who is ecstatic!
40:18What a ride!
40:23El Cockroach strikes again!
40:25Come on, the roach! You can't get rid of the cockroach, baby!
40:31Oh, one second. Our referee, Mark Klatenberg, has something to say.
40:35Oh!
40:36Oh!
40:37Oh!
40:37Oh!
40:39Sam, we've looked at the VAR.
40:42Unfortunately, your foot wasn't over the line.
40:47No!
40:49Therefore, you've only completed four zones, and I can only award you eight points.
40:56VOOOM!
40:59Nah, Sam, how do you feel about that?
41:01What the hell is this game?
41:03What the hell?
41:04I guess Mark Klatenberg has the final word, the rules are the rules.
41:08No, I never liked Klatenberg, to be honest with you.
41:10You always used to do Chelsea dirty, and you're doing me dirty now.
41:16Let's go, Presteson!
41:19Come on!
41:26Next up on the Gord Club run, it is Joe.
41:33Contender, Ruddy!
41:35Gladiators, ready!
41:45Three, two, one!
41:48Well, Joe looks ready for this.
41:50One way, then the other, to get past Nitro.
41:53And he's wriggled his way through Steel as well.
41:56Phantom's not going to be beaten quite so easily, but there he goes.
41:59Joe is into Zone 4, where Bionic can't fully get to grips with him.
42:04Joe there tried to dive underneath Apollo.
42:07He's through now.
42:08Ten points for Joe.
42:10He successfully runs the gauntlet.
42:16That was amazing.
42:17You've got to be happy with him.
42:18What a tactic.
42:19Dodge and weave, dodge and weave, you're brilliant.
42:21I just went for it, mate.
42:22I'm so glad I finished there, because I was worried.
42:24It's so intimidating when you look at him down there,
42:26you think you're never going to get through him, but I did it!
42:28Yeah, you absolutely did.
42:31A quick old shimmy, and he was gone.
42:33Mate, that little shimmy was lovely.
42:35Yeah.
42:35I enjoyed that one.
42:36I was caught dazed.
42:38Ten points for Joe!
42:42What a result for Joe.
42:44Sam thought he'd scored maximum two,
42:46until Clattenburg the Grinch got involved.
42:48Sam still leads, but takes a razor-thin advantage into the eliminator.
42:52He's got 22 points.
42:53Joe's on 21.
42:57Taking on the gauntlet for the female celebrities, it's Nicola.
43:05And she is up against the power of...
43:12Dynamite, Electro, Fury, Comet and Cyclone.
43:22It wouldn't be Christmas without Comet and the other reindeer.
43:34She's ready to switch it up from pulling the sleigh
43:36to slaying our celebrity contenders.
43:44Contender ready!
43:46Gladiators, ready!
43:55Three, two, one!
43:58Well, I would think Nicola will do pretty well here.
44:00She's straight past Comet, but oh!
44:02She takes a bashing from Electro, and she hits the canvas.
44:07She's not used to that.
44:08Quickly back to her feet, though, and into Zone 5 in the blink of an eye.
44:12Cyclone stops her for a while, but she can't stop her fully.
44:16Ten points, Nicola.
44:18We knew that was coming.
44:24They really wanted to stop you.
44:25Yeah, they really did.
44:27They really tried, but do you know what?
44:29Cream always rises to the top, baby!
44:31Oh! I love it!
44:33We got the shot from Electro that took you,
44:35that put you down there, and you got straight back up.
44:37Boom! See ya!
44:40This is the first time I've ever been down.
44:42Do you know what?
44:43I got back up and won.
44:44Yeah, Electro, you did it, mate!
44:46To be fair to her, I probably am wearing the biggest
44:48pair of boxing gloves she's ever fought against her.
44:52Absolutely brilliant.
44:53Ten points, gotta be happier now.
44:54Thanks!
44:55Absolutely buzzing with that!
44:57Thanks, everyone!
44:58Let's go!
45:01Our next female celebrity to run the contest, it's Vogue!
45:04Contender, ready!
45:14Gladiators, ready!
45:19Three, two, one!
45:21A lot as strong as Nicola.
45:24Vogue will have to use her guile and skill here.
45:27She is into Zone 3, though, and she's trying to slide her way past Dynamite.
45:33Mark Glanberg gives the signal to release.
45:36Fury hasn't done any damage at all with that claw.
45:39It's left a cyclo to try and prevent Vogue from going all the way.
45:42She can't do it! Vogue has done it! What a run that was!
45:47Mate, congratulations!
45:49You made it to the end of the gauntlet!
45:52Listen, I'm as surprised as everybody else are delighted!
45:55Dynamite, you were with her at Zone 3, and you held her back for quite a while there,
46:00I've got to say.
46:01Yeah, I mean, fair play for Ashley coming in and facing us, because one gladiator is very scary,
46:07but five of us, you smashed it!
46:1110 points to you, Vogue! Thank you to Vogue and our gladiators!
46:24After four events, Vogue has 16 points and is chasing down the Olympic champion,
46:29but Nicola maintains her lead with 20, so she's got the advantage for the eliminator.
46:34Oh, wow! What a show! Thank you so much! Just one final event stands between
46:41our star contenders and victory. It's just like a VIP after-party, but less champagne and more sweat.
46:48Yes, and the only thing being popped are hamstrings. Here we go! It's the eliminator!
46:54The eliminator!
46:58It's time for Contender against Contender in a head-to-head race across this iconic
47:03course, now even more demanding, with an all-new tougher balance beam to traverse,
47:09before taking on the legendary Travelator. The winner of the eliminator will be crowned Celebrity
47:16Champion. Any points advantage now converts into a head start, so with Sam one point ahead,
47:23he takes just a half-second lead over Joe. For the Celebrity Gladiator Trophy, contenders ready!
47:35Sam, you will go on my first whistle. Joe, you will go on my second whistle.
47:40Three, two, one!
47:44So nothing between them at the start. This should be a real Christmas cracker. Look at Sam's enthusiasm.
47:50He's been like that all night. He's liked that all his life. Oh, he's swinging away from the platform
47:55there. A little too much momentum. And that allows Joe to just edge into the lead. Oh,
48:02look at Sam go! He's whizzed across the overhead ladders. A quick unclip of the trapeze and he's in
48:08front once more. The energy around the whole arena is electric. Joe hurls himself onto the net and
48:16catches up with Sam again. Who's gonna win this? It's absolutely in the balance. Joe's climbing well.
48:24He has the inside run as well. But Sam's there first. And he will jog across to the zip wire. Breathing
48:31hard. He knows he's nearly there. I think he's enjoying himself. It's hard to tell. Now for the
48:38beam with the end nearly in sight. And Sam has fallen. These beams are more difficult this year.
48:45They go up, they go down. You've got to make contact with the red zone in the middle and at the end.
48:50And Joe did that with ease. And now tackles the travelator. He's got the legs and arms pumping.
48:56And Joe Wiggs wins. Sam is still toppling and tumbling behind him. But nothing will wipe the smile
49:04from his face. Great cheers from all around the arena. He's given everybody a whole load of enjoyment
49:10tonight. And Mark Klettenberg claps. And Joe cheers him on. And he has one last go to bounce up that
49:18revelator. And swing through the finish in style. Nothing in it until Sam's stumble as Joe
49:27raced clear to be our male celebrity champion. Dude, you look so happy. Man, I'm so chuffed, man. Like,
49:34it is so amazing. Like, the crowd, everybody here. That was so fun. That is one of the hardest things
49:44I've ever done in my life. That travelator, you just flew up there. That's amazing. What a great
49:49contender, great partner, great dancing partner. I love it. Yeah, brilliant.
49:54You've been an incredible contender, Sam. Are you chuffed? El Cockroach, baby! You can't stamp him out!
50:00Give it up for El Cockroach! El Cockroach! All right, Sam came off the balance beam,
50:07give you the edge, settled yourself up the travelator. What are you thinking of that time?
50:11I tell you what, even though, you know, I had a bit of a breather, I still found that
50:15travelator hard. It's much harder than watching it at home on TV. You know, I'm really chuffed
50:18that I won, but I think he's been an amazing partner. Absolutely. It's been a fantastic show.
50:22Absolutely exhausted. I've got one thing to say to you. Joe Wicks, you are our celebrity,
50:29gladiator champion!
50:35Very great.
50:37There's your memories, there's one.
50:40Sam, there's Sam. Here's Sam, our runner-up! Yes!
50:47Gladiator champion, everyone!
50:50Now it's the turn of our female celebrity contenders. Nicola has a four-point lead and therefore a
50:55two seconds head start. Over to referee Mark Clattenburg.
51:01For the celebrity gladiator trophy, contenders, ready!
51:08Nicola, you will go on my first whistle. Vogue, you will go on my second whistle.
51:12Three, two, one!
51:18Away goes Nicola. Straight into it, over the first and under the second, as Vogue hits a barrier from the off.
51:25Nicola's already climbing up the rope. Her opponent might be already on the ropes. That's not for the
51:31first time. Don't think I've ever seen a contender take on those first hurdles in such unorthodox
51:37style. But that's Vogue. She's got her own style. Nicola's onto the overhead ladders. She didn't
51:43get up the rope all that quickly. Vogue doesn't look like she's going to get up the rope at all.
51:48She did say that she was worried about her upper body strength, and she's getting the ladder out for a
51:53bit of help. Nicola was stuck just momentarily on the overhead ladders, but she's over them now,
51:59and will swing across to the cargo net. She's got such a healthy lead now. Vogue surely needs a
52:07Christmas miracle to catch her up. She'll keep going, that's for sure. And there's that upper
52:13body strength being called into question again. Those overhead ladders are swinging too. That makes
52:18it all the more difficult. She's just got onto the podium now as Nicola reaches the very top of the
52:24cargo net, and wearily hauls herself up to take on the zip wire next. Vogue looks
52:31as though she's really struggling, but Nicola is absolutely flying and enjoying every moment
52:38of it. Vogue's still on the net. Nicola nearly has this in the back of the net. And she wasn't moving
52:46very well as she went across towards the beam there. She's taking this very steadily indeed. There's a bit
52:52of a grimace. And oh, you can feel Vogue's tiredness. A wobble from Nicola, but she stays on the beam.
53:01And here comes Vogue. This might not be over yet, you know. Again, Nicola, slightly wobbly at the end of the
53:09beam. But if Nicola does this, she's going to win. She's running out of energy. She's going to go
53:16backwards in a moment. And Vogue is off the end of the beam. Maybe miracles do happen. Here she goes.
53:23Vogue, oh, she can't make it even halfway up. Nor can Nicola. Who's got the desire, the energy,
53:32the willpower to win this epic eliminator. They're still neck and neck. They're going to reach the top
53:39together here. Now it's all about the swing. Vogue grabs the rope first, but it is really, really close.
53:48That was incredible. Well, the trickier balance beam was a problem for Nicola,
53:55and then it was a head-to-head race up the travelator. It's a mightily close one to call.
54:00OK, I can now reveal, guys, that there was only two hundredth of a second in it. I can now
54:12reveal that the winner, and therefore the gladiators celebrity champion, is Vogue!
54:20It was extraordinary, Nicola. It was a struggle for you. Yeah, it really was. Came down on the zip line,
54:40and I just landed funny on my ankle, and then I just couldn't get my ankle going. Oh, but what a
54:45fantastic competitor, Nicola. OK, leave your line to bring in Nicola's medal. There you go.
54:51That was fantastic. Well done, Nic. Absolutely sensational.
54:54She's the first silver medal I've had. Congratulations on Nicola Adams!
55:03Vogue, that was a tricky eliminator. You were quite far behind Nicola,
55:08but you managed to catch up, and you managed to beat her.
55:10I honestly cannot believe that. I've had the best day, and the crowd, when I was doing so badly.
55:18You were so nice. Honestly, thank you. You really liked it. You pushed us on.
55:24I've got one thing to say to you. You're our gladiators celebrity champion!
55:28Oh, amazing! Here comes Mr. Klattenberg with the trophy. There you go. Well done, Nic. Well done. Congratulations.
55:44Champion Vogue heads over to soak up the adulation of her adoring fans. She'll be so grateful to them,
55:51and to that ladder. Merry Christmas, everyone!
55:56What a night! What a show, what a show. Hey, I wonder how our star contenders are feeling now.
56:00Well, tomorrow they'll be feeling muscles they didn't even know existed.
56:03If you want more action from the arena, then you are in luck.
56:06We have more brave members of the public queuing up to take on the mighty gladiators.
56:10Oh, yes, and we'll be back on BBC One and iPlayer very soon,
56:13and here's a look at what is coming up on the smashing new series of gladiators!
56:20We are back! The toughest game show on telly!
56:28This is going to be incredible. I came here to fight.
56:33I will always be better than you. Who is this guy?
56:35Things are about to get brutal.
56:39The show's gone a bit weird there.
56:42Three brand new events. Yes!
56:45It's truly squeaky bomb time. Sorry about that.
56:52It's time to turn!
56:55Lock in. Cheers down. Smash.
57:04Looks like your airbags have gone off.
57:05Heat rises. Babes, you've got scorched today.
57:09What I said, if you're going to be dumb, you've got to be tough.
57:10And I am very, very tough.
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