Fighting fit Davina McCall is reported to be top of BBC bosses’ wish list for a celebrity Gladiators spin-off.
The former Big Brother presenter, 56, previously said she would like to host the sports entertainment game show, but Bradley Walsh and his son Barney were chosen for the reboot, which returned to screens this year.
It is also claimed that producers are hoping to hire former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright, 37, and former Made In Chelsea cast member Spencer Matthews, 35.
A television insider said Sun: ‘The BBC wants big-name contestants with the kind of strength and agility needed to compete with the intimidating gang of gladiators.
“Davina is incredibly fit and already seems keen to take part, even if she had previously only talked about lending her presentation skills.
Fighting fit Davina McCall is reported to top BBC bosses’ wish list for a celebrity Gladiators spin-off (stars of the BBC’s Gladiators reboot with hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh, in center)
The former Big Brother presenter, 56, previously said she would like to host the sports entertainment game show.
A TV source told The Sun: “Davina is incredibly fit and already seems keen to take part, even if she had previously only talked about lending her presenting skills.”
“As for the kids, the producers love the idea of inviting them to see if their gym-honed muscles are just for show or if they have real physical strength.”
MailOnline has contacted the BBC and representatives for Davina, Mark and Spencer for comment.
Davina was previously set to front the BBC’s Gladiators reboot, with the show originally broadcast on ITV from 1992 to 2000.
In 2019, ITV published a poll on Twitter asking its followers which of their favorite childhood shows they would like to see return to their screens.
‘ARE CONTESTANTS READY?! (Obviously, we’re saying this in John Anderson’s voice),’ they wrote, referring to the show’s original referee.
Offering to host a Gladiators reboot, Davina responded at the time: “Bagsy, host it.”
The Saturday night primetime arrival of Gladiators proved to be a ratings hit for the BBC, with 28-day viewing figures revealing 9.8 million tuned in for the first episode.
The considerable audience share made it the most successful launch of a BBC entertainment program in seven years, with an average of 8.3 million viewers watching the full eleven episodes.
It is also claimed that producers are hoping to hire former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright, 37.
Mark often shares photos of himself working out on social media (seen here after running the London Marathon).
Former Made In Chelsea cast member Spencer Matthews, 35, is also said to be a favorite among Gladiators bosses.
Spencer has transformed her health and lifestyle in recent years after opening up about her previous struggles with alcohol.
Its success means Gladiators will return with a second series which is expected to include at least one celebrity-led version of the show, usually contested by members of the public, in 2025.
“I can reveal that we are going to do a celebrity special,” executive producer and managing director of Hungry Bear Media Dan Baldwin, husband of TV presenter Holly Willoughby, told Radio 4.
‘You always watch old shows that are no longer on TV. “You always come up with new ways to bring back a show.”
He added: “It’s no exaggeration to say that the response to Gladiators has been phenomenal. The episodes have been packed with gripping drama, thrilling action and great excitement.
‘Series 2 will see the show go from strength to strength. We have some amazing surprises in store for fans. Are you ready?!?’
Kalpna Patel-Knight, BBC entertainment director, said: “Gladiators have really started this year strongly and we are delighted that fans have flocked to the show.”
‘It’s been wonderful to hear how much families have loved watching this together, as part of the BBC’s Saturday night entertainment offering. “We can’t wait for more action from the Gladiators.”
Meanwhile, Dom Bird, Senior Vice President of Gladiators production company MGM Alternative, International, said: “It’s been incredible to see Gladiators reignite the excitement this show has always generated on Saturday nights in the UK.
“We are delighted that a second series has been confirmed for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and we look forward to getting back into the arena with our partners at Hungry Bear Media and the BBC.”
The show, featuring the new Gladiator Fury (pictured), proved to be a ratings hit for the BBC, with 28-day viewing figures revealing 9.8 million viewers tuning in to the first episode.
The popular game show originally aired on ITV from 1992 to 2000 before returning for a single series on Sky One in 2008 (presenter Ulrika Jonsson with part of the cast in 1994).
BBC boss Tim Davie had previously included a second series on his list of “big priorities” for the year in a speech to the Royal Television Society.
He said: “Of course, it means that, despite budget pressures, we will prioritize the big national events – from the Coronation, Eurovision, the Proms and Glastonbury, to the Olympics and the Euros, or Strictly or Gladiators, Children in Need or even That Big Drama: Election Night.
Many had predicted that a second series of Gladiators was on the cards after it eclipsed the viewing figures of other shows in January, including Dancing On Ice and The Masked Singer.
The popular game show originally aired on ITV from 1992 to 2000, before returning for a single series on Sky One in 2008.
The rebooted show became the most successful launch of a BBC entertainment program in seven years, with an average of 8.3 million viewers watching the full eleven episodes.
