Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has revealed his mindset shift since becoming a father, admitting he used to be "selfish" during his sprinting career.
The 37-year-old, best known as Nitro on the BBC revival of the game show, also reached a new audience last year when he was eliminated sixth on Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with professional dancer Karen Hauer. Before his showbiz era, Harry competed in the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics as a sprinter, before deciding in 2023 to hang up his running shoes and transition to television to spend more time with his wife, Lauren, and their daughter, Aubreé-Isla.
'She won't know me as a sprinter'
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the athlete reflected on "compromises" he has made in raising his five-year-old, describing his daughter as his "entire world".
"I selfishly did a lot of things for myself as a sprinter, as an Olympic athlete," he confessed. "You compromise and sacrifice on a lot of things around life. But the moment you have a child… I was sad when she was born because I was like, 'She won't know me as a sprinter and having won X amount of medals.' But that was so selfish of me."
Now, however, he says he has been "given an even greater gift", as his daughter can watch him on Gladiators and shows like MasterChef, which he appeared on in 2024, because they will teach her "different things about life".
"I can't even get a chopping board out without her being next to me after MasterChef. She cooks with me all the time," he said, noting that Strictly also made the little one keen to dance. As a result, Harry took her to a performing arts school, suggesting she could be destined for a future in the public eye.
"And Gladiators is teaching her to be the best version of herself and to be confident, to be proud," he continued, joking that Aubreé-Isla will ask her friends if they "want to meet Nitro". "She really appreciates the role that I play and me and my wife we definitely support her in a way that allows us to try and have an essence of normality within the house."
Gladiators shake-up
Harry chose Nitro as his Gladiator name because he is a "form of energy" himself. He was announced as a Gladiator three years ago when the iconic programme was rebooted, with his character becoming one of the most popular among viewers. Filming for the next season is now underway.
The show is introducing new faces this year, replacing those who have been axed. Earlier this year, Giant was sensationally let go, allegedly because bosses didn't approve of his romance with an OnlyFans model, from whom he has since split. Bionic and Athena have suffered injuries and will sit out the next outing of the Bradley and Barney Walsh-hosted show. Cyclone, who made history as the first Irish Gladiator, will not return either and has removed all traces of the show from her social media. Insiders have suggested she is "not happy" about being given the chop, although the reasons remain unclear.
According to reports, Olympic champion skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker is one of the replacements, joining fitness influencer and weightlifter Florence Wong, who will perform as Huntress. World's Strongest Man Tom Stoltman, from the Scottish Highlands, has also been confirmed, calling the casting a "dream opportunity" and one he is "incredibly proud" of.
"I've spent my life pushing myself to see what I can achieve, and joining this incredible show is the next challenge," he said. "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."
Stoltman was hired to replace Giant (Jamie Bigg), despite reports of behind-the-scenes uproar over the Gladiator's firing and co-stars vowing to "band together" to get him back.
When does Gladiators return?
Fans will have to wait until 2027 to catch the newbies in action in the regular series, but there is the celebrity version to look forward to in the meantime. The upcoming Celebrity Special will see Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu alongside comedians Chris Ramsey and Sara Pascoe and influencer George Clarke. The four stars will face the challenges of Powerball, Unleash, and Duel, and, of course, the final gruelling eliminator.
Gladiators returns to the BBC later this year.
