In a heartwarming moment on the latest episode of BBC's Gladiators, contender Shaun Stephen from Lancashire paid a touching tribute to his father, who had competed on the same show three decades earlier. The 20-year-old aerospace apprentice wore his dad's original tracksuit from the 1995 series, creating a poignant link across generations.
A Family Legacy on Gladiators
Hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh returned to present the Saturday night episode, where four new contenders entered the arena. Shaun Stephen and 25-year-old baker Hinley Chan from Cheshire were the first pair to face the Collision challenge. Before the competition began, Shaun revealed his family connection to the iconic show.
In a VT segment before entering the arena, Shaun explained: "My dad was on Gladiators in 1995 and he got all the way to the semi-finals." His father later appeared on camera, offering both encouragement and playful competition: "You've obviously got the edge over me with youth but just remember your old dad will still beat you at an arm wrestle."
The Special Tracksuit
Host Bradley Walsh immediately noticed Shaun wasn't wearing the standard Gladiators attire. "This is interesting. This isn't our normal Gladiators outfit. What's going on there?" he asked.
Shaun proudly responded: "My dad was actually a contender in 1995. This is the original tracksuit. Only about 10 people may have this in the world, it's from his series and I thought I'd do him proud and wear it today."
The young contender added: "He got all the way to the semi-finals and we're competitive. I'm ready to take it one step further and beat him and get to the finals at least."
Father's Pride and Support
Shaun's father could be seen enthusiastically cheering from the audience, with Shaun joking about his dad potentially being "the loudest one" in the arena. The emotional connection between father and son added a unique dimension to the competition.
Bradley Walsh has spoken about the evolution of the revived Gladiators series, noting: "It's grown massively. Series one we were finding our feet and introducing this new world of the Gladiators. Series two really hit its stride and welcomed two newbies to the fold, and now with series three it's bigger, bolder and runs like a well-oiled machine."
He added: "The Gladiators are at the top of their game and the Contenders are bringing more fight than ever before."
The latest series of Gladiators continues to captivate audiences with its blend of athletic competition and human stories. Shaun Stephen's tribute to his father represents one of those memorable moments that transcends the physical challenges, highlighting family bonds and sporting legacies.
