Gladiators’ Lightning offers stern warning to new cast as iconic TV show returns

2022-08-29

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Gladiators legend Lightning (Kim Betts) has issued a stern warning to the new cast of the hit sports show.

Kim appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain alongside her fellow Gladiators athlete Saracen (Michael Lewis) on Bank Holiday Monday (August 29).

The 90s TV icons spoke to GMB hosts Charlotte Hawkins and Sean Fletcher about the iconic sporting show after a reboot of the series was announced by the BBC.

READ MORE: Gladiators' Wolf says new cast will be 'photocopies' of famous originals

The gruelling Saturday night programme used to air on ITV in the 90s, but it will return to screens in 2023 and air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer instead.

However, Kim begged the new stars of the revamped show to avoid making the show into a "pantomime" and to remember it is a sports show at its core.

Sean asked: "What advice would you give to any of the new competitors?"

Kim replied: "Be yourself. Don't try and make it into a pantomime. Remember what the show's about. It is about sports, it can be highly competitive. Everybody wants to win. but it's also a TV programme, so you have to entertain the viewers back home.

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She concluded: "So it is about entertainment but it's not a pantomime."

Saracen legend Michael agreed: "It's finding that mixture of the sporting element and the entertainment element.

"You have to get that balance right, and I think the producers at the time did get it right."

Kim became known as the Queen of the Hang Tough rings and rarely lost on the show, but she's now turned her talents to the business world and has two children.

Michael became a full-time fireman in South London after leaving the show, also working at a gym in Covent Garden for a time.

The Gladiators reboot will come back for 11 episodes next year, with filming due to take place at the Utilita Arena Sheffield.

Ulrika Johnsson and John Fashanu used to host the show, but the new presenters have not yet been announced.

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