Gladiators (UK series 2)
This series saw the Gladiator line up increase to 14 with Falcon (Bernadette Hunt), Hunter (James Crossley), Nightshade (Judy Simpson), Trojan (Mark Griffin) and Zodiac (Kate Staples) joining. Flame, Hawk and Phoenix were axed following the results from a fan poll, and this series sees the first appearance of assistant referee/timekeeper Andrew Norgate. All of the Gladiators received new outfits with the Gladiators appearing in more post event InterViews and interviewing as themselves rather than attempting to adopt a persona.
The event pool was doubled to include events taken from the American Series as well as original events with six different events being played each week (as opposed to the same events each week) providing much more variety. This mixing of the events would be carried through other series.
The arena itself was slightly lighter than the previous year (as due to the series popularity), the National Indoor Arena was more fully occupied and contender outfits adopted the standard pink/ yellow for women and red/ blue for the men. The opening credits were changed completely and there were a number of other improvements in on screen titles and graphics.
Of the events of the first series, Danger Zone saw the biggest change with the stations being set equidistant apart and the weapon line up changing to Crossbow, Bazooka, Rocket Launcher and Mortar. Gladiators now longer wore a chest guard nor where they attached to a harness and lifted into the air should a contender hit their target. The events theme music was also changed. The pods used in Atlaspheres were given a new look from their original simple design.
The Eliminator also had several changes made. The first cargo net, slide and scramble sheet were removed and replaced by the high and low hurdles and rope climb which would remain in place until the end of the show. A balance beam was also added before the travelator.
New events
Six new events were introduced in this series, the highest number of new events to be added in throughout the series. Three of them had appeared in some form in live shows played in Wembley the preceding Easter.
Powerball
This event was taken from the American series. Two contenders and three Gladiators face off on a pitch containing five scoring pods. At each end are boxes containing red and blue balls with contenders being allocated a specific colour. Contenders have to place as many balls as they can in the scoring pods during 60 seconds, collecting balls from opposite ends each time whist Gladiators are tasked with trying to PReVENT them by tackling. 2 points were awarded for each outside scoring pod and 3 for the centre.
Skytrak
This event was adapted from the American series. Two contenders and two Gladiators are suspended from an upside down figure of eight course on the arena ceiling. Contenders have a short headstart over Gladiators and have a detonator button trailing them. On the whistle, players must scramble forward round the figure of eight with the Gladiators aiming to hit the detonator button which sets off a small shower of sparks from a backpack on the contender. 10 points are awarded for the first contender round the course and 5 for the second provided they are not caught by the Gladiator.
Suspension Bridge
This event had been played at the Wembley Live shows as an updated version of Duel before being named as a separate event. Contender and Gladiator battle out on a 24 foot suspension bridge using hammerhead weapons. Contenders receive 10 points for reaching the Gladiators platform (whether they knock the Gladiator off or not) and 5 points should they stay on the bridge for the full 60 seconds.
Tilt
This event had been road tested at the Wembley Live shows. Contender and Gladiators face off on a tug of war on two tilting platforms. Due to their weight advantage Gladiators are on a higher table that is initially tilted forward. Contenders have two 30 second pulls against the Gladiator, scoring 5 points each time they dislodge the Gladiator and 2 points for each draw. This event proved deeply unpopular with the Gladiators due to the disadvantage they were at on their tilt table and the event was quickly phased out of the series and training programmes in future series before being axed after the 1995 series.
Joust
This event had been roadtested at the Wembley live shows. Contender and Gladiators face each other on skybikes which twist, buck and rotate for 30 seconds. Armed with combat clubs, participants attempt to remove their opponent. Contenders get 10 points should they dislodge the Gladiator and 5 points for a draw.
Gauntlet
Contenders must run through an alleyway of Gladiators armed with ram rods to impede their ProgresS. Contenders receive 3 points for each Gladiator they pass with the contender with the quickest time through scoring a bonus point. There was no time limit on this event, effectively meaning contenders automatically received 9 points for taking apart. The event would be modified the next year and would become one of the core events in later years.
Episodes
scope="col" style="background:#00FF00; | Episode |
scope="col" style="background:#00FF00; | Title |
scope="col" style="background:#00FF00; | Original airdate {{Episode list |
EpisodeNumber=1 |
Title=Return of the Gladiators |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary= |
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EpisodeNumber=2 |
Title=Heat 1: Pauline Oliver vs. Katie Tanner / Richard Bury vs. Phil Norman |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Pauline 0 - 0 Katie / Richard 10 - 5 Phil
Pauline 0 - 0 Katie / Richard 20 - 15 Phil
Pauline 12 - 0 Katie / Richard 20 - 26 Phil
Pauline 22 - 7 Katie / Richard 25 - 26 Phil
Pauline 27 - 7 Katie / Richard 25 - 26 Phil
Pauline 27 - 7 Katie / Richard 25 - 26 Phil
Pauline WINNER - LOSER Katie / Richard LOSER - WINNER Phil |
LineColor=00FF00 }} {{Episode list |
EpisodeNumber=3 |
Title=Heat 2: Rhian Prichard vs. Rowan Duxbury / Gary Towers vs. Glenn Webbe |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Rhian 5 - 5 Rowan / Gary 10 - 5 Glenn
Rhian 15 - 5 Rowan / Gary 20 - 15 Glenn
Rhian 15 - 5 Rowan / Gary 30 - 15 Glenn
Rhian 19 - 15 Rowan / Gary 33 - 17 Glenn
Rhian 19 - 21 Rowan / Gary 33 - 29 Glenn
Rhian 19 - 21 Rowan / Gary 43 - 29 Glenn
Rhian LOSER - WINNER Rowan / Gary WINNER - LOSER Glenn |
LineColor=00FF00 }} {{Episode list |
EpisodeNumber=4 |
Title=Heat 3: Mandy Gornicki vs. Paula Bisley / Stephen Robinson vs. Roddy Mackay |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Mandy 10 - 11 Paula / Stephen 4 - 4 Roddy
Mandy 14 - 16 Paula / Stephen 8 - 14 Roddy
Mandy 24 - 26 Paula / Stephen 18 - 24 Roddy
Mandy 27 - 32 Paula / Stephen 27 - 35 Roddy
Mandy 27 - 37 Paula / Stephen 27 - 45 Roddy
Mandy 27 - 37 Paula / Stephen 27 - 45 Roddy
Mandy WINNER - LOSER Paula / Stephen LOSER - WINNER Roddy |
LineColor=00FF00 }} {{Episode list |
EpisodeNumber=5 |
Title=Heat 4: Sophie Cheston vs. Helen Williams / Alan Bates vs. Brian Ward |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Sophie 4 - 8 Helen / Alan 0 - 0 Brian
Sophie 4 - 18 Helen / Alan 10 - 10 Brian
Sophie 4 - 18 Helen / Alan 10 - 10 Brian
Sophie 8 - 24 Helen / Alan 12 - 15 Brian
Sophie 18 - 29 Helen / Alan 12 - 15 Brian
Sophie 25 - 39 Helen / Alan 17 - 20 Brian
Sophie LOSER - WINNER Helen / Alan LOSER - WINNER Brian |
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EpisodeNumber=6 |
Title=Heat 5: Jacqui Thomson vs. Lisa Thompson/Jean Klenk / Deane Hart vs. Jon Morgan |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Jacqui 10 - 0 Lisa / Deane 10 - 0 Jon
Jacqui 20 - 0 Lisa / Deane 20 - 10 Jon
Jacqui 24 - 6 Lisa / Deane 27 - 12 Jon
Jacqui 29 - 16 Jean / Deane 27 - 17 Jon
Jacqui 29 - 16 Jean / Deane 27 - 17 Jon
Jacqui 29 - 16 Jean / Deane 27 - 17 Jon
Jacqui LOSER - WINNER Jean / Deane WINNER - LOSER Jon |
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EpisodeNumber=7 |
Title=Heat 6: Gail Rickett vs. Tracey Johnson / Rick Keisewetter vs. Gary Dodds |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Gail 6 - 8 Tracy / Rick 0 - 8 Gary
Gail 6 - 8 Tracy / Rick 10 - 18 Gary
Gail 15 - 18 Tracy / Rick 20 - 27 Gary
Gail 15 - 23 Tracy / Rick 20 - 27 Gary
Gail 17 - 27 Tracy / Rick 25 - 32 Gary
Gail 27 - 37 Tracy / Rick 25 - 32 Gary
Gail LOSER - WINNER Tracy / Rick WINNER - LOSER Gary |
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EpisodeNumber=8 |
Title=Heat 7: Susan Surman vs. Syrlene Clarke / Steve Quick vs. Roland Hill |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Susan 4 - 10 Syrlene / Steve 6 - 6 Roland
Susan 4 - 10 Syrlene / Steve 6 - 6 Roland
Susan 14 - 10 Syrlene / Steve 6 - 16 Roland
Susan 20 - 13 Syrlene / Steve 6 - 31 Roland
Susan 29 - 23 Syrlene / Steve 15 - 41 Roland
Susan 34 - 28 Syrlene / Steve 20 - 51 Roland
Susan LOSER - WINNER Syrlene / Steve WINNER - LOSER Roland |
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EpisodeNumber=9 |
Title=Heat 8: Georgina Berger vs. Vicky McCann / Tim Anstiss vs. Chris Yeomans |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Georgina 4 - 10 Vicky / Tim 5 - 0 Chris
Georgina 13 - 16 Vicky / Tim 11 - 6 Chris
Georgina 22 - 26 Vicky / Tim 21 - 15 Chris
Georgina 32 - 26 Vicky / Tim 21 - 15 Chris
Georgina 42 - 26 Vicky / Tim 31 - 25 Chris
Georgina 42 - 31 Vicky / Tim 31 - 25 Chris
Georgina WINNER - LOSER Vicky / Tim WINNER - LOSER Chris |
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EpisodeNumber=10 |
Title=Quarter-final 1: Pauline Oliver vs. Paula Bisley / Gary Towers vs. Phil Norman |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Pauline 1 - 1 Paula / Gary 5 - 3 Phil
Pauline 1 - 6 Paula / Gary 15 - 13 Phil
Pauline 5 - 8 Paula / Gary 19 - 17 Phil
Pauline 5 - 18 Paula / Gary 24 - 27 Phil
Pauline 15 - 18 Paula / Gary 34 - 32 Phil
Pauline 15 - 18 Paula / Gary 34 - 42 Phil
Pauline LOSER - WINNER Paula / Gary LOSER - WINNER Phil |
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EpisodeNumber=11 |
Title=Quarter-final 2: Jean Klenk vs. Tracy Johnson / Deane Hart vs. Rick Keisewetter |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Jean 4 - 2 Tracy / Deane 6 - 2 Rick
Jean 4 - 12 Tracy / Deane 16 - 2 Rick
Jean 14 - 17 Tracy / Deane 21 - 12 Rick
Jean 19 - 22 Tracy / Deane 26 - 17 Rick
Jean 19 - 22 Tracy / Deane 26 - 17 Rick
Jean 24 - 22 Tracy / Deane 26 - 17 Rick
Jean WINNER - LOSER Tracy / Deane WINNER - LOSER Rick |
LineColor=00FF00 }} {{Episode list |
EpisodeNumber=12 |
Title=Quarter-final 3: Mandy Gornicki vs. Helen Williams / Roddy Mackay vs. Brian Ward |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Mandy 0 - 0 Helen / Roddy 5 - 10 Brian
Mandy 0 - 10 Helen / Roddy 15 - 15 Brian
Mandy 10 - 18 Helen / Roddy 17 - 15 Brian
Mandy 15 - 25 Helen / Roddy 22 - 25 Brian
Mandy 20 - 25 Helen / Roddy 27 - 30 Brian
Mandy 30 - 35 Helen / Roddy 27 - 30 Brian
Mandy LOSER - WINNER Helen / Roddy LOSER - WINNER Brian |
LineColor=00FF00 }} {{Episode list |
EpisodeNumber=13 |
Title=Quarter-final 4: Georgina Berger vs. Syrlene Clarke / Steve Quick vs. Tim Anstiss |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Georgina 0 - 0 Syrlene / Steve 0 - 0 Tim
Georgina 10 - 0 Syrlene / Steve 0 - 10 Tim
Georgina 20 - 5 Syrlene / Steve 5 - 20 Tim
Georgina 20 - 8 Syrlene / Steve 11 - 23 Tim
Georgina 25 - 13 Syrlene / Steve 16 - 26 Tim
Georgina 25 - 13 Syrlene / Steve 16 - 36 Tim
Georgina WINNER - LOSER Syrlene / Steve WINNER - LOSER Tim |
LineColor=00FF00 }} {{Episode list |
EpisodeNumber=14 |
Title=Semi-final 1: Jean Klenk vs. Paula Bisley / Deane Hart vs. Phil Norman |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Jean 10 - 0 Paula / Deane 5 - 10 Phil
Jean 10 - 10 Paula / Deane 15 - 15 Phil
Jean 18 - 19 Paula / Deane 21 - 21 Phil
Jean 18 - 19 Paula / Deane 21 - 21 Phil
Jean 18 - 20 Paula / Deane 26 - 26 Phil
Jean 23 - 25 Paula / Deane 26 - 31 Phil
Jean WINNER - LOSER Paula / Deane LOSER - WINNER Phil |
LineColor=00FF00 }} {{Episode list |
EpisodeNumber=15 |
Title=Semi-final 2: Georgina Berger vs. Helen Williams / Steve Quick/Gary Towers vs. Brian Ward |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Georgina 12 - 6 Helen / Steve 3 - 12 Brian
Georgina 17 - 16 Helen / Steve 13 - 17 Brian
Georgina 22 - 21 Helen / Gary 18 - 17 Brian
Georgina 22 - 21 Helen / Gary 28 - 22 Brian
Georgina 22 - 21 Helen / Gary 28 - 32 Brian
Georgina 22 - 31 Helen / Gary 28 - 32 Brian
Georgina WINNER - LOSER Helen / Gary LOSER - WINNER Brian |
LineColor=00FF00 }} {{Episode list |
EpisodeNumber=16 |
Title=The Battle of the Gladiators: Dennis Andries vs. Gary Mason vs. Vinnie Jones vs. Oliver Skeete vs. Neil Adams vs. John Fashanu |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Oliver 10
Neil 16
John 26
John 35
John 45
Neil LOSER - WINNER John |
LineColor=00FF00 }} {{Episode list |
EpisodeNumber=17 |
Title=Grand Final: Georgina Berger vs. Jean Klenk / Brian Ward vs. Phil Norman |
OriginalAirDate= |
ShortSummary=
Georgina 0 - 10 Jean / Brian 5 - 10 Phil
Georgina 2 - 17 Jean / Brian 7 - 12 Phil
Georgina 2 - 17 Jean / Brian 7 - 22 Phil
Georgina 7 - 18 Jean / Brian 13 - 27 Phil
Georgina 7 - 18 Jean / Brian 13 - 27 Phil
Georgina 7 - 23 Jean / Brian 13 - 27 Phil
Georgina LOSER - WINNER Jean / Brian LOSER - WINNER Phil |
LineColor=00FF00 }} |
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Lisa collided with Zodiac during Powerball and was deemed unfit to continue.
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Chris right hand was damaged during his Joust with Shadow, which meant that no Men's Eliminator was played and Tim automatically going through to the Quarter-finals.
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Rowan pulled out due to food poisoning. Paula replaced her as the highest scoring female loser from the heats.
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Steve retired after two events due to a virus. Gary replaced him as the highest scoring male loser from the Quarter-finals.
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Due to time constraints, only 5 events were played and highlights of Danger Zone were shown.
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These events had the Female Gladiators against the male contenders.
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After Gary's Duel with Shadow, he tied with Neil on 28 points, but he pulled out because of an injury before the show and decided that Neil would face against John in the Eliminator.