Gladiators Ready? Contenders Ready?

20,000 applied. 1200 were chosen. 32 will survive.

Heroes will be born this spring when GLADIATORS returns to British television screens on Sky One and Sky One HD. But before heroes can be made, they need to compete. 20,000 people from across the United Kingdom applied to be contenders. 1200 of the finest athletes were short listed to attend trials. Only 32 will survive and do battle with 12 all new GLADIATORS and grace the all new GLADIATORS arena.

The journey for the chosen few begins on Friday 29 February when the first of six rounds of contender trials takes place.

200 of the finest applicants have been invited to attend secret locations on each of the six dates; it’s the first stage of their journey to the GLADIATORS arena. Under the highly trained and watchful eye of GLADIATORS referee John Anderson the 200 will compete in a variety of skill, strength and endurance tests to see if they have what it takes to be a contender. These tests have been specially created by John Anderson so that he can assess which contenders are the best candidates.

The trial’ists have made it this far because they have demonstrated the will, determination and physical characteristics of a contender. But will they progress further when they meet their fellow competitors? How will they fare tackling the rigorous tests John Anderson has created? The trials they will endure will be demanding, many will fall, and it could be that none of the 200 from each regional trial makes it through.

John Anderson, GLADIATORS referee and head of contender selection comments: “The search is on to find the Peoples Champion to challenge the Gladiators.

Out there are the man and the woman who can run, jump and throw and mix it with the best and whose moment of glory will emerge when they defeat all other Contenders; but first they have to pass and endure the pain of the TESTS. Only the best will survive. The eight tests require strength, speed, stamina and guts.

Those who come through the tests will be the “CRÈME DE LA CRÈME” and will be physically, psychologically and emotionally ready to do battle”.

Which trial’ists will demonstrate the courage, the skill, the prowess, to make it through to the final 32 and face the awesome power of the GLADIATORS?

Following on from AMERICAN GLADIATORS (Pictured) hugely successful debut in the US, Sky One will be building one of the biggest studio sets in UK television history to house the GLADIATORS arena. Two hosts (to be announced shortly) will preside over the contest as 32 contenders take on one of TVs toughest challenges in the hope of becoming crowned champion.

GLADIATORS will include iconic events such as The Joust, The Wall, Hang Tough and, of course, The Eliminator but will also be reinvented for the 21st century with bigger thrills and maximum impact using special effects, water skills and the latest technology.

• Glasgow to host contender trials on Fri 29 Feb
• Newcastle to host contender trials on Sat 1 Mar
• Manchester to host contender trials on Sun 2 Mar
• Cardiff to host contender trials on Fri 7 Mar
• London to host contender trials on Sat 8/Sun 9 Mar