Gemma Atkinson is in talks to muscle in on the BBC’s Celebrity Gladiators Special. Fitness-mad Gemma, 39, asked her team to get in touch with casting chiefs after learning about the spin-off.
She is desperate to be involved as the original programme was her favourite as a child in the 1990s. One source said: “Gemma heard that a celebrity special was in the pipeline, and said to her agent she would love to be involved. “Gladiators was Gemma’s favourite show as a kid, and, because she’s so into fitness now, it would be her dream gig. Talks are ongoing – the show team are thrilled that she is so keen.”
In 2018, former Strictly star Gemma told how it was Gladiator Jet who inspired her love of fitness. The radio DJ and former Hollyoaks actress – who has two children with Strictly dance pro Gorka Marquez – wrote on Instagram: “This lady here (Jet) was the reason I started going to the gym and training. I used to love Gladiators.”
The reboot of the TV favourite, which first aired between 1992 and 2000, was a massive hit for the second time when it launched in January. Hosted by father-and-son team Bradley and Barney Walsh, it introduced new Gladiators including Viper, Sabre, Fury, Giant and Apollo.
An audience of 8.7million viewers made it the biggest launch of an entertainment show in the UK since 2017. It has since been commissioned for a second series.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4 earlier this month, show producer Dan Baldwin confirmed there will be a spin-off celebrity version. Dan – the managing director of Hungry Bear Media and husband of Holly Willoughby – said: “I can reveal we are going to do a celebrity special.
“You always look at old shows no longer on television. You are always coming up with new ways of bringing back a show. There’s nothing wrong with that because those shows were great for a reason. We’ve always got an eye on what could come back and be a hit like Gladiators is.”
A spokesman for Gladiators declined to comment.