Barney Walsh

Gladiators to return in 2026 as BBC confirms another Celebrity Special

The cast of Gladiators flex their biceps, as they encircle the referees and presenters in formation, with the art for the series in the background

Bradley and Barney Walsh will return to oversee all the action, where the so-called ‘Saturday Night Superheroes’ will take on the brave contenders across another eleven episodes. There will also be another stand-alone Celebrity Special.

These ‘Superheroes’ include the modestly-named Apollo, Athena, Bionic, Comet, Cyclone, Diamond, Dynamite, Electro, Fire, Fury, Giant, Hammer, Legend, Nitro, Phantom, Sabre, Steel and Viper.

The first Celebrity Special saw Ellie Taylor, Louise Minchin, Rob Beckett and Joel Dommett contend, to varying degrees of success.

Bradley Walsh to host Gladiators reboot alongside son Barney

All members of the Walsh family have a longstanding relationship with Gladiators. Barney grew up on the set of the original series, watching his mum Donna Derby choreograph the Gladiators cheerleaders, and even taking some of his first steps on the arena floor. Bradley (The Chase) stepped up to compete in a Celebrities vs Jockeys special in 1997.