Former Gladiators star Jamie Bigg, known as Giant on the BBC show, has accused Holly Willoughby's TV producer husband Dan Baldwin, 51, of double standards for interviewing adult star Lily Phillips on his wife's new YouTube show.
Bigg, now 41, left the programme in April after he was reportedly ordered to end his relationship with OnlyFans model Taylor Ryan, 28, or lose his job. TV bosses reportedly said her role as an online adult content creator conflicted with the show's family-friendly image.
Quit after romance with OnlyFans model
Bigg and Ryan first met at a Gladiators Live event in Sheffield, where she was a fan of the show. After his separation from wife Katie Christian late last year, the pair began dating. Their romance became serious enough that Bigg quit the programme when told to choose between the relationship and his job.
Bigg said at the time: "I had to choose between dating Taylor and keeping my job."
Accusation of double standards
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Bigg said the Lily Phillips interview left a bad taste in the mouth and described his exit as "f***ing sucked" after insisting Baldwin had promised him a future on the show.
He said: "For the person who deleted or helped delete me, for his wife to do that interview, it just seemed too close to home to be comfortable with it."
Claims of broken promises
The dad-of-two said Baldwin allegedly told him "you're definitely in the next series. Giant's a huge character. We can't imagine season four without Giant". But when he refused to end his relationship, he was axed.
Bigg criticised the lack of duty of care shown to him, claiming the show completely washed its hands of him. He told The Sun: "They did try and delete me from the past, present and future with no duty of care for my mental health or the ADHD or the divorce or the getting older, which I thought was very, very harsh."
He described himself as a "pawn in their game" and accused the show of exploiting its power over performers.
Baldwin's media firm Hungry Bear produces Gladiators and Holly's Together show has been approached for comment by The Mirror but at the time of publication have not responded. The Mirror has also contacted the BBC for comment.
Bigg is now working as a motivational speaker and wants to use his experience as a bodybuilder and former Gladiator to inspire and help people overcome adversity in their own lives. He is represented by Champions Speakers for bookings.
