The Traitors winner Harry Clark was reportedly drafted in at the last minute for Celebrity Gladiators after comedian Chris Ramsey sustained a leg injury during filming at Sheffield Arena.
Ramsey was forced to bow out of a challenge called Unleashed, which tasked celebrities with running long distances. Producers reportedly brought in Clark as a curveball.
Clark, a former British army engineer, won £95,000 in the second season of The Traitors UK, having kept his status as a Traitor secret from the other contestants.
Last-minute stand-in
According to The Sun, Clark was a “master game-player” when he stepped in, and received a huge round of applause for his lycra-clad appearance. An insider told Metro: “The audience where the show was being filmed at Sheffield Arena were enthralled by the turn of events and were thrilled when it was announced he was stepping in.”
They added: “There were a few chuckles too when the former soldier emerged with a bandage on his hand and explained he’d suffered a minor injury making a cup of tea. He said he hoped he could hold his own and do Chris proud, however. It means it will be the first Celebrity Gladiators show featuring five celebrities rather than the usual four.”
Ramsey remained in other events
It is not clear whether Clark was on stand-by or was roped in because he happened to be in the arena on Friday. However, Ramsey reportedly did not pull out entirely, and still took part in challenges that did not affect his hamstring injury.
Ramsey’s place in the lineup was confirmed alongside Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu, comedian Sara Pascoe, and social media personality George Clarke.
Ramsey on turning 40
When his participation was announced, Ramsey joked about taking on the physically demanding show in his forties: “As someone who religiously watched Gladiators as a kid, it’s beyond incredible to be taking part in the show myself! However, a large part of me does wish it could have been while I was in my 20s and not 40… but there you go.”
Metro contacted the BBC, Chris Ramsey and Harry Clark’s representatives for comment.
