Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known as Nitro on the BBC's Gladiators reboot, has spoken warmly about working with veteran presenter Bradley Walsh. The 37-year-old former Commonwealth sprinter shared his thoughts in a new interview with The Express, praising the 66-year-old's career and character.
'A great guy'
“He's just a great guy.. The career that he's had and what he's able to do as an individual is pretty awesome,” Aikines-Aryeetey said. “You've got nothing but respect for him and you listen when he talks and try to be a part of anything that he does.”
Walsh began hosting the revived Gladiators in 2024 alongside his son, Barney Walsh. Aikines-Aryeetey, a former sprinter, competes as Nitro on the show.
Blankety Blank exit
The praise comes days after Walsh revealed he could no longer host Blankety Blank, the popular game show that originally aired from 1979 to 1990 and was revived in 2020 with Walsh as host. The BBC recently cancelled the show, along with Celebrity Mastermind and Live At The Apollo, as part of efforts to save £500 million over three years.
In an interview with Radio Times, Walsh explained that scheduling conflicts prevent him from returning for a fourth series. “The thing is we’re just doing Gladiators. I get a week off and then I go to rehearsals for the live Prat Pack show,” he said. “I take The Prat Pack back on the road for a month, and then I would normally go straight into Blankety Blank. But at the moment, what I’m going to do is I’ve got other stuff which I can’t announce (yet). We’re working on a couple of dramas and scripting, and I actually physically do not have the time.”
He added: “I would normally go to studio October, but I’m all taken up in October and November, so I just haven’t time to do it. Maybe next year.”
BBC cuts
The BBC said the cancellations were “difficult decisions” made in light of “funding challenges.” A spokesperson said: “We are incredibly proud of all three of these much-loved shows and would like to thank everyone involved, both in front of and behind the camera, for bringing them to screen and making them such a success over many years. Unfortunately, we have to make some really tough choices in light of our funding challenges and these savings have been identified from the entertainment genre.”
