Celebrity Gladiators line-up: Meet the contestants

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After the surprising success of last year’s Celebrity Gladiators – which was originally planned as a single event – the show is returning for a special festive edition.

Bradley Walsh and his son, Barney, will be hosting this year’s Christmas Day episode, where celebrities team up to compete against 18 incredible athletes in challenges testing their strength, speed, and agility.

Who’s participating in this exciting challenge? Here’s a look at the celebrities competing in the Celebrity Gladiators special.

Who is in the line-up of the Gladiators Celebrity Special?

Joe Wicks MBE

Age: 40

Job: Fitness coach

Instagram: @thebodycoach

The popular fitness coach, famous for his home workouts during the pandemic, is thrilled to be competing on Gladiators – a show he’s loved since childhood. He’s so confident in his abilities that he jokes if he can’t handle the challenge, no one can!

He described Gladiators as a truly legendary show and expressed his excitement about competing on it. Having watched it as a child, he said actually being in the arena would be an amazing experience.

“I know it’s going to be tough, but I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.”

Sam Thompson

Age: 33

Job: TV personality and podcast host

Instagram: @samthompsonuk

Sam Thompson, known from Made In Chelsea and crowned King of the Jungle in 2023, often shares his passion for fitness and running online and on his podcast, making him a strong candidate for the show Gladiators.

As soon as I complete one task, another one begins, and this time it’s a challenge with actual ‘Gladiators’! I’m ready – let’s get this started and get me on that moving walkway!

He shared his genuine excitement about joining the show, saying, “I’ve been watching Gladiators since I was a kid, so it’s amazing to actually compete as a challenger now.”

Nicola Adams OBE

Age: 43

Job: Former professional boxer

Instagram: @nicolaadams

It’s hard to imagine anyone more perfect for Gladiators than a true Olympian. Please welcome former professional boxer and two-time Olympic gold winner, Nicola Adams OBE!

Nicola shared her excitement about joining the Gladiators Celebrity Special, calling it a dream come true. She grew up watching the show and always admired its incredible competitions and larger-than-life competitors.

Finally getting to compete in this arena is a completely different challenge for me. I’m a boxing champion, but this will test me in new ways. I’m prepared to give it my all!

Vogue Williams

Age: 40

Job: Media personality and TV host

Instagram: @voguewilliams

Vogue Williams recently finished appearing on ‘I’m A Celebrity,’ where she was regularly seen exercising and showing off her strong physique, particularly during the challenging ‘Wrecking Balls of Rage’ trial. She’s now thrilled to be competing on ‘Gladiators,’ a show she’s always dreamed of being a part of.

I’m still in disbelief! I’ve been a huge fan of this show since I was a kid, and it’s a dream come true to even be in the arena. Honestly, it’s hard to wrap my head around actually competing against these incredible Gladiators. I’m just thrilled to be a part of it all!

Gladiators Celebrity Special 2026 airs Christmas Day (25th December) at 3:35pm on BBC One.

Authors

Phoebe Kowhai BarnesFreelance Writer

Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a freelance writer specializing in pop culture and entertainment for TopMob. Before that, she was a Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab, where she oversaw their local team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham.

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2025-12-25 12:35