Gladiators season 8

Gladiators season 8 was aired on December 11, 1999 on ITV. It was the last season of the show and was presented by John Fashanu and Ulrika Jonsson.

Build-up and Format

As already known, after the 1998 season, ITV took the decision to axe the show after the continuing of falling ratings. However at the last minute, they decided that they wanted a final mini series to say goodbye to the show. It was produced by LWT again but was also backed by the then Freeview company OnDigital.

This was the only season in which ticket prices for the shows were introduced and With It being transmitted in the winter season rather than the summer, it produced very low audience figures.

The format was still knockout but very short, just 2 Heats and the final. A Battle of the Giants special was also transmitted in which the male glads came face to face.

Events

Only 8 events were used plus the Eliminator, and used a set format. The events were:-

• Powerball
• The Wall (always played by the women contenders)
• Swingshot (the men played the event in Heat 1 and the final)
• Atlaspheres (only played by the men in Heat 2)
• Gauntlet
• Hang Tough
• Duel
• Whiplash (only played in Battle Of The Giants)

Gladiators

Jet was set to return for this series but pulled out for personal reasons.

All 15 gladiators from 1998 were used (although Vulcan and Diesel only appeared in the Battle Of The Giants), no new members were introduced.