Gladiators fans have been left shocked to learn how the hit BBC show is filmed.
The physically challenging quiz show was resurrected by the broadcasting giant in January, 32 years after its original launch on ITV and 16 years after Sky One scrapped an earlier revival.
Its arrival in prime time on Saturday night proved a ratings success for the BBC, with viewing figures over 28 days showing that 9.8 million people tuned in to the first episode.
And before the second season is filmed, some viewers are wondering how the show is actually filmed.
On Reddit, one fan wrote: ‘Does BBC Gladiators actually install and uninstall all the event gear many, many times throughout the season between episodes/rounds (which would likely be extremely time consuming and VERY expensive) or do they cheat in some minor (or major!) way?’
Gladiators fans have been shocked to learn how the hit BBC show is filmed.
The physically challenging game show was resurrected by the broadcasting giant in January, 32 years after its original launch on ITV and 16 years after Sky One scrapped an earlier revival.
And if so, how? PLEASE HELP ME FIND OUT!
They soon got clarification on what was really going on, with one staff member who worked on the first series writing: “I worked on the reboot. We filmed an entire show in one day.
‘The Eliminator is always filmed last, the other games are filmed in a slightly different order to ease set-up times.
‘It takes about 40 minutes to install the Eliminator and the guys who do the assembly and setup are really very professional.
“It’s one of the most fun things I’ve ever worked on. Great crew, great show, and I’m so glad it’s getting the reception it’s getting.”
A fan of the show, Who was sitting in the audience during the filming of the first season, added: ‘We went to the first shoot in Sheffield. It was the one that aired as episode two.
‘The events were filmed in a different order. When we arrived, the Powerball game was already set up. They played it and then made the presentations of the contestants.
‘Since it was our first episode, they also did a bunch of generic promo shots that took forever, bringing in ALL the gladiators and setting up that drone shot they show at the beginning of every episode.
‘There were about 45 minutes between each event. We had to leave before the heat started (my 5-year-old had to go home for bed).
‘If you watch the episode you’ll notice how many empty seats there are during the eliminatory.’
Gladiators is set to return to the BBC with a celebrity spin-off after the rebooted show became a ratings hit.
Its arrival in prime time on Saturday night proved a ratings success for the BBC, with viewing figures over 28 days showing that 9.8 million people tuned in to the first episode.
Ahead of the filming of season two, some viewers have been wondering how the show is actually filmed.
On Reddit, one fan wrote: “Does BBC Gladiators actually install and uninstall all the event gear many, many times throughout the season?”
They soon got clarification on what was really going on, with one staff member who worked on the first series writing: “I worked on the reboot. We filmed an entire show in one day.”
The considerable audience share made it the most successful launch of an entertainment programme on the BBC in seven years, with an average of 8.3 million viewers watching the full eleven episodes.
Its success means Gladiators will return for a second series 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’re always looking at old shows that aren’t on TV anymore and you’re always looking for new ways to bring a show back.”
He added: “I’m not exaggerating when I say that the response to Gladiators has been phenomenal. The episodes have been packed with thrilling drama, exciting action and sheer emotion.
“Season 2 will take the show from strength to strength. We have some amazing surprises in store for fans. Are you ready?”
Kalpna Patel-Knight, BBC’s director of entertainment, said: ‘Gladiators really started this year with a bang and we’re so pleased that fans have come out to the show in their droves.
“It’s been wonderful to hear how much families have enjoyed watching this together, as part of the BBC’s Saturday night entertainment offering. We can’t wait to see more Gladiator action.”
Its arrival in prime time on Saturday night proved to be a ratings success for the BBC, with 28-day viewing figures revealing that 9.8 million people tuned 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 some of the cast in 1994)
Meanwhile, Dom Bird, senior vice president of Gladiators production company MGM Alternative, International, said: ‘It’s been incredible to see Gladiators rekindle the enthusiasm that this show has always generated on Saturday nights in the UK.
‘We’re delighted that a second series has been confirmed for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and we can’t wait to get back into the arena with our partners at Hungry Bear Media and the BBC.’
BBC chief 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 this means that, despite budgetary pressures, we will prioritise the big national occasions, 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 a second season of Gladiators was on the way 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.
