Two Gladiators stars reportedly won’t return for the upcoming season, with a Celebrity Traitors star set to step up to the podium instead. It’s already been a turbulent lead-up to the new BBC season, with fan-favourite star Giant getting axed from the series in April, with him claiming it was due to his (now ex) girlfriend being an OnlyFans creator. World’s Strongest Man victor Tom Stoltman was announced as his replacement, but it seems that’s not the end of the shake-ups as filming gets underway for season four.
Bionic and Athena step back due to injuries
Now, it transpires that Gladiators Bionic and Athena have also taken a step back from the series while rugby legend turned Traitors icon Joe Marler reportedly gears up to don the Lycra. Speaking on the reported exit of Bionic and Athena, a source told The Sun: ‘They won’t film this year for the show but could be back for the tour, depending on how they recover from their injuries.’ Both TV athletes, whose real names are Matty Campbell and Karenjeet Kaur Bains respectively, suffered injuries during the last season while undertaking tough on-air challenges.
Bionic looked visibly in pain during the Hang Tough challenge and was eventually attended to by doctors when he dropped to the crash mat. Athena endured an especially tough setback during season three filming when she had a complete ACL tear, meniscus tear, LCL and MCL tears and a bone fracture. The star received surgery for the injury approximately a year ago and has been documenting her recovery on social media.
Joe Marler could join as guest gladiator
But as two Gladiators bow out, another could be rising to the fore in the shape of Traitors star Joe, who could join the force in a guest star capacity. This is yet to be done on the reboot of the show, which launched in 2024. An insider told the publication: ‘It goes without saying he’s got the size, strength and muscle power to cut it as a Gladiator, but he’s also got the cheeky personality to match. ‘Viewers of the original series and the BBC’s reboot love their Gladiators to come with a little sass, and Joe will easily put on a performance in every sense of the word.’
All in all, it’s shaping up to be an interesting start to the new season, especially with Tom officially coming on board as part of the new cast. Sharing his excitement at the casting, he called it a ‘dream opportunity’ and an ‘incredible challenge’. He added: ‘I’m excited to bring my strength, determination and personality to the arena, but, most importantly, I want people watching to feel inspired to believe in themselves and take on their own challenges.’ His name and costume are yet to be revealed. Former star Giant, real name Jamie Bigg, also passed on his well wishes, calling him ‘a fantastic person’ and that ‘he’ll absolutely smash it on the show.’
Metro has reached out to BBC and Joe Marler’s representatives for comment.
