Gladiators viewers beg BBC to bring back another iconic show after seeing first episode of reboot

Gladiators viewers have all been begging for the same thing after watching the first episode of the highly-anticipated reboot.

We all know the deal when it comes to reboots - either the pure nostalgia really sells it - or you just feel like the carton has already expired.

But for those who were born in the 2000s, Gladiators was once a hugely popular show around the world.

The premise is that a group of male and female contestants battle it out in a series of physically challenging events against the show's resident 'Gladiators', with the aim of competing in one final event.

The original American Gladiators series was broadcast in the US in 1989 and became so popular, a UK version was made starting in 1992 - presented by Ulrika Jonsson and footballer John Fashanu.

It aired from 1992 to 2000 on ITV for 13 seasons and 133 episodes.

Also between 2008-2009, Gladiators was brought back for a short run on Sky, before it seemingly got scrapped.

Thankfully, it seems that BBC's revival of the show, which aired last night (13 January), is already off to a great start.

BBC

Hosting the 11-episode series is the presenter of The Chase, Bradley Walsh, and his son Barney as the Gladiators took on 'contenders' in both new and old games.

The show's challenges, include the classic Duel, where players stand on small platforms and have to knock each other off using sticks.

There is also Hang Tough, Powerball, The Ball and classic challenge The Eliminator, a gruelling obstacle course.

Viewers seemed largely delighted with last night's reboot, as one user wrote on X (Twitter): “Well done BBC. Keeping it true to the original is a very good recipe for success. We Enjoyed that. Good old fashioned Saturday night tv.”

Another echoed: “No new silly format points. No padding. No reality sob stories. Just a remake with everything that made it ludicrous and bananas, but great, the first time round.”

However, amidst all the nostalgia-loving comments were a load of people calling for the return of another classic British TV show in Blind Date.

Channel 5

The ITV show - hosted by Cilla Black - originally ran on Saturday nights from 1985 to 2003.

Then the late Paul O'Grady presented the revived series on Channel 5 from 2017 to 2019.

Simply put, Blind Date was a British dating show in which a member of the public chooses who to date from a selection of three suitors, based solely on their answers to questions.

Taking to X after the Gladiators reboot, one viewer said: "Sadly the BBC didn’t have the foresight to also bring back Blind Date."

"Blind Date to be shown after #Gladiators it would’ve be a perfect Saturday night TV," a second penned.

"I enjoyed that. Is Blind Date on next? #Gladiators," a third added, as another wrote: "Hope Blind Date is on later. #Gladiators."

"Loved #Gladiators! Can we have Blind Date back too now," someone else said.