Home World USA Latin America Europe Asia Africa TV Shows Showbiz Travel Lifestyle Opinion Science Politics Health Sports Tech Entertainment Business
Entertainment August 4, 2026

Gladiators star with rippling muscles joins BBC cast for new series

Gladiators star with rippling muscles joins BBC cast for new series

Season four of the revived Gladiators series is undergoing a significant reshuffle as several long‑time competitors depart and new faces join the roster.

Giant, Bionic, Athena, and Cyclone have all exited the program in recent months. Giant announced his departure after revealing plans to pursue a public relationship, while Bionic and Athena sustained injuries during the previous season’s filming. Cyclone cited behind‑the‑scenes complications that made her continued participation impossible.

In response, a new Gladiator has been announced: bodybuilder Ahmad Rabus, known for his strong physique and coaching background. Rabus earned the Mr. Universe title in Italy in 2015 and has a dedicated following on social media where he promotes fitness and strength training.

An image of the Gladiators logo with smoke.

The show also welcomes World’s Strongest Man champion Tom Stoltman, who has yet to receive a Gladiator name or costume. Stoltman expressed enthusiasm about bringing his strength and determination to the arena and hopes to inspire viewers to challenge themselves.

Additional casting rumors suggest former rugby player Joe Marler may appear as a guest Gladiator, a first for the rebooted series.

On the companion Celebrity Gladiators program, comedian Chris Ramsey withdrew after an injury, and winner Harry Clark stepped in as a last‑minute replacement. Audience members at the Sheffield Arena filming location reportedly responded positively to Clark’s unexpected entrance.

Cyclone on Gladiators

Filming for the upcoming season is underway at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena, with the new cast set to face viewers in the next series.

These changes signal a fresh dynamic for the show, as established personalities are replaced by athletes with notable achievements and a strong public presence.

The transition is expected to bring new energy to the competition, potentially attracting a wider audience and renewing interest in the long‑running franchise.

A still from Ahmad Rabus' Instagram story

Share this article

UMVA MAG

UMVA Mag is your trusted source for breaking news, in-depth analysis, and compelling stories from around the world. Covering politics, business, technology, entertainment, sports, health, science, and more — we deliver journalism that matters.

Independent, Accurate, Unbiased
24/7 Breaking News Coverage
Trusted by Millions Worldwide