Which famous names have signed for Celebrity Gladiators?

It will air later this year!

Author: Alex RossPublished 29th Jul 2025
Last updated 29th Jul 2025

Since its reboot at the beginning of 2024, Gladiators has been one of the most successful shows on TV, with the BBC quick to renew the show for a second and third series, as well as the first ever celebrity special.

Following the celeb special, which aired on New Year’s Day, it’s now been confirmed a second celebrity series will air later in 2025 with four new celebs, so here’s everything we know so far…

Will there be another series?

Yes! BBC bosses confirmed the news on Tuesday 24th June, revealing a second celebrity series will air later in 2025.

Which celebs are on the show?

On Tuesday 29th July, four celebs were announced for the upcoming second series, including Hits Radio presenter Sam Thompson!

Sam will compete against Joe Wicks MBE, with Nicola Adams OBE and Vogue Williams also taking part.

The news was announced on social media alongside the caption: ‘We’re excited to share that four daring celebrities will be taking on the mighty Gladiators in Gladiators: Celebrity Special.🌟

‘Joe Wicks MBE, Sam Thompson, Nicola Adams OBE and Vogue Williams, are digging out their gym kits to take on iconic challenges such as Duel, The Wall and the legendary Eliminator.💪

‘Gladiators: Celebrity Special will be coming later in the year to BBC One’. (sic)

Four famous names were announced for series one of Celebrity Gladiators on Wednesday 7th August 2024, including Rob Beckett, Ellie Taylor, Louise Minchin and Joel Dommett.

When is it on TV?

There’s no official date for the second series just yet, but we do know it will air ‘later in the year’ on BBC One.

The first celebrity special aired on New Year’s Day 2025, featuring some famous names taking on the tough challenges like The Wall, Danger Zone, Swingshot, Hang Tough and Duel. Here’s everything you need to know about the special.

You can watch the episode on BBC iPlayer now.

Who won series one?

Joel Dommett was crowned the Celebrity Gladiators male champion.

Ellie Taylor was crowned the Celebrity Gladiators female champion.

Who hosts the show?

Just like the main show, father-and-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh host the celebrity special.

Is there more series of Gladiators?

The second series of Gladiators aired at the beginning of 2025, with series three also now confirmed for 2026.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC said: “Audiences have loved getting together to watch our mighty Gladiators take on contenders from all across the UK with younger fans especially excited to cheer on their Saturday night superheroes. With this brand-new series and another Celebrity Special confirmed there will be even more epic battles, more high-octane action and of course even more foam fingers than ever before for everyone to look forward to!”

Dan Baldwin, Managing Director of Hungry Bear Media added: “We have been absolutely blown away by the reception Gladiators has received from families up and down the country. It has become a HUGE part of Saturday night viewing on the BBC. We are extremely excited to deliver another series, so expect even more spandex, hairspray, protein shakes and fake tan this summer in Sheffield!”

Check out which other shows we can’t wait for the return of:

Big Brother

The third series of Big Brother on ITV/STV is due to begin on Sunday 28th September, with reports suggesting this year’s show will run for a huge seven weeks!

The Traitors and Celebrity Traitors

Series four of The Traitors is due to return in early 2026, but fans can also look forward to the first ever celebrity edition of the show, which is due in Autumn 2025.

Wednesday

Production for the second series of Wednesday wrapped in December last year, and now Netflix have confirmed the second series will be released in two parts. Part one landed on 6th August and Part two is coming on 3rd September 2025.

Stranger Things

Netflix bosses confirmed in January 2023 that the fifth and final series of Stranger Things had officially started production – and at the 2025 Tudum event, confirmed that the series will be released in three parts. Volume 1 will land in the UK on 27th November, followed by Volume 2 on 26th December and the final ever episode on 1st January 2026.

Ted Lasso

Following the end of series three in 2023, fans were crying out for a fourth series of comedy show Ted Lasso! On Friday 14th March, main actor Jason Sudeikis confirmed the exciting news, revealing it was in early production! There’s no release date just yet.

Waterloo Road

School drama Waterloo Road is due to return for a 16th series in early 2026! The show, which was rebooted in 2023, has been a huge success for the BBC.

Hijack

Following series one back in June 2023, Apple TV bosses have now confirmed Idris Elba will return for a second series of Hijack! No plot or start date has been announced just yet, but reports are rife that production will begin soon.

Vigil

Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie reprising their roles as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre in BBC drama Vigil. With filming set to begin in Scotland later this year, fans could see series three land in early 2026.

Red Eye

ITV/STV crime drama Red Eye become one of the station’s biggest shows in 2024, so it’s no surprise it was commissioned for a second series. Filming started in March 2025, with Martin Compston joining the cast, but there’s no word on any release date just yet.

Blue Lights

Another popular drama set to return to BBC One later this year is Blue Lights. Filming for series three kicked off in February, so we suspect it could land later this year.

Emily In Paris

That’s right, after things got pretty interesting for Emily Cooper as we saw her set up camp in Rome, starring actress Lily Collins answered our prayers as she confirmed that a fifth season is officially on the way – with fans taking it upon themselves to dub the season ‘Emily In Rome’.

Trigger Point

Following two successful series, ITV/STV bosses announced in October 2024 that they’d commissioned Trigger Point for a third series, with Vicky McClure will reprise her role as bomb disposal operative Lana Washington. Filming for series three concluded in June, with the show set to air in the Autumn. Trigger Point has also now been renewed for a fourth series!

Nobody Wants This

It was one of the most popular rom-coms of 2024, so it’s no surprise Netflix bosses were quick to renew Nobody Wants This, starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell. After production began in March, it was later confirmed at Netflix’s 2025 Tudum event that the new series is set to be released on 23rd October 2025.

The Day of the Jackal

Series one of thriller The Day of the Jackal has broken viewing records for Sky Atlantic, so there’s no surprise that bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series, before the first was even over! Although there’s no air date just yet, filming is expected to take place in 2025.

After The Flood

Actress Sophie Rundle played the role of Joanna Marshall in series one of ITV/STV drama After The Flood. The show was so popular it was immediately renewed for a second series, with Alun Armstrong, Jill Halfpenny, Ian Puleston-Davies and Matthew McNulty joining the cast. Filming for series two started in March 2025, so we suspect it could arrive later this year.

Deal or No Deal

Following it’s reboot, quiz show Deal or No Deal has become increasingly popular with viewers, so it’s no surprise fans are calling out for more. ITV/STV bosses are yet to officially confirm a third series, but they have announced a Soccer Aid special will air in June 2025.

Married At First Sight UK

Although the Australian version is keeping us all entertained right now, we can’t wait for the UK version of MAFS to return later in 2025, as more singletons attempt to find love at first sight.

Amandaland

Following the first series of Motherland spin-off show Amandaland, BBC bosses were quick to renew comedy series Amandaland for a second series. Lucy Punch will return as Amanda, alongside Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne. There’s so far been no word on when series two will land.

The Great British Bake Off

Usually airing between September and November, Bake Off is the perfect show to get us through Autumn. Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are set to return later in 2025 with hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.

Bullseye

Following the Christmas special in 2024, ITV/STV bosses have now confirmed they’ve commissioned a full series of iconic gameshow Bullseye, with Freddie Flintoff as host. The series is due to air later in 2025, as well as a brand new Christmas special.

Hunted

Applications for the next series of Hunted are due to close at the end of May, so we suspect it could be ready to land on TV in early 2026.

Selling Sunset

With series eight dropping last September, Netflix have confirmed a ninth series of the glitzy reality show will return, with a brand new cast member! There’s no date just yet, but we suspect it could arrive sometime in September.

Unforgotten

After series six aired in early 2025, ITV/STV bosses were quick to recommission crime drama Unforgotten for a seventh series, with Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan set to return. There’s no official start date just yet, but we imagine it will be early 2026.

Strictly Come Dancing

After comedian Chris McCausland won the show in 2024, Strictly Come Dancing will return later in 2025 for yet another countdown to Christmas!

I’m A Celeb

Ant and Dec are also set to return to our TV screens later in 2025 for a brand new series of I’m A Celeb! No names have been announced just yet, but as also, rumours are heating up about which famous faces will head into the jungle.

Bridgerton

On the same day bosses announced the show had been renewed for a fifth and sixth series, Netflix also confirmed the hugely-antipcated fourth series would land in 2026. There’s no exact date just yet, but filming is taking place now.

The Masked Singer

Bonkers entertainment show The Masked Singer UK has officially been renewed for another season, due to air in early 2026.

The Night Agent

After series two dropped on Netflix in January, bosses were quick to confirm The Night Agent would return for a third instalment, with Gabriel Basso as FBI agent Peter Sutherland. Production for series three started in February 2025, so it could land in early 2026.

Stacey & Joe

Following the last episode of series one, BBC bosses confirmed Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash’s reality series Stacey & Joe had been renewed for a second series. Although there’s no word on when series two will land, filming is taking place now, with six new episodes expected later in 2025.

At Home With The Furys

Following the popular first series back in 2023, Netflix bosses confirmed a second series of At Home With The Furys in May 2025. Filming with Tyson Fury, his wife Paris, and the couple’s seven children is underway now.

The Bear

Following the fourth series arriving in June 2025, bosses have now confirmed The Bear will return for a fifth series! Although there’s been no start date given just yet, the show typically begins every year in June.