GLADIATORS IS BACK, BETTER AND ON BBC AMERICA



- U.S. Premiere of International Phenomenon -



Gladiators, the entertainment show which took the television world by storm in the ‘90s is back - this time with an all-new UK version. Created by American producer Johnny Ferraro and originally adapted for the UK by television executive and reality-show judge, Nigel Lythgoe (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance) with noted producer Ken Warwick (American Idol, America’s Got Talent), Gladiators has got an up to date makeover that retains all of the classic elements that made the original such a massive hit. Gladiators premieres Saturday, November 1, 4:00 p.m. ET/PT with subsequent episodes at 5:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The UK version features 12 all-new Gladiators that rule the arena and control the fate of the Contenders in a bold reinvention of the hit show. British soccer player Ian Wright and sports commentator and television personality, Kirsty Gallacher are joined by the original referee John Anderson to preside over events.

Among the 12 people who form the elite group of athletes that make up the Gladiators include an Olympic medal-winning runner and a Royal Marine Commando. They face off against 32 hand-picked Contenders to take on television's toughest challenges in the hope of being crowned champion and winning the $100,000 prize. But do they have the speed, the strength and the heart to beat them? Tune in to see who will be the last man standing.



BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies and life-changing makeovers. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC AMERICA is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 62 million homes.

For up-to-the-minute information on BBC AMERICA, forthcoming U.S. premieres, art work and news from the channel, log on to www.press.bbcamerica.com.



GLADIATORS

Battleaxe aka Shirley Webb - business manager of a sports management company.

As a former hammer thrower, she competed in the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, European Championships and World Championships and is also a mathematician.



Enigma aka Jenny Pacey - personal trainer/sports model.

She’s represented Britain in the long jump and pentathlon at various events as well as bobsleighing to Olympic level.



Ice aka Caroline Pearce - fitness consultant.

She’s represented England in the pentathlon, starting at just age 15, and was a member of the British bobsleigh team at the World Championships in 2005.



Inferno aka Jemma Palmer - model/wrestler.

Jemma has been, among other titles, a Miss Hawaiian Tropic finalist and a Miss Maxim UK finalist. She also has a purple belt in submission wrestling.



Panther aka Kara Nwidobie - children's day nursery manager.

Kara is a former British discus thrower and competed in the UK Championships and the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006.



Tempest aka Lucy Boggis - athlete/model.

A British javelin champion two years running, Lucy is also the British pentathlon indoor record holder and hopes to compete in the London Olympics in 2012.



Atlas aka Sam Bond - charity fundraiser.

He is one of the highest ranked amateur natural bodybuilders in Britain.



Destroyer aka Damar Martin - personal trainer.

Damar is the oldest Gladiator and a bodybuilder with many titles to his name.



Oblivion aka Nick Aldis - wrestler.

Nick is the youngest Gladiator and has been a professional wrestler since the age of 16.



Predator aka Du'aine Ladejo – athlete.

Du'aine is a two-time Olympic medalist with bronze in 1992 and silver in 1996.



Spartan aka Roderick Bradley – artist.

Rod captained for London Blitz - an American football team in the UK - and has competed as a swimmer and rugby player.



Tornado aka David McIntosh - Royal Marines Commando

Tosh joined the Royal Marines Commando at the age of 16, having served in Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, Somalia and the Gulf. He is also a Marines middleweight boxing champion.



EVENTS

Duel: Standing on opposite podiums and armed with pugil sticks, the Gladiator and Contender must try and knock each other off to the crash mats below.

Earthquake: Contenders wrestle a Gladiator in an effort to force them off a hanging ring.

Gauntlet: Contenders attempt to run a long gauntlet as Gladiators use ramrods and power-pads in order to stop the Contender from entering the next section.

Hang Tough: Contender and Gladiator stand on platforms at opposite ends of the arena and in-between them is the playing area, consisting of 60 rings. Both competitors commence towards each other by swinging and traversing the rings.

Hit & Run: The Contender must attempt to run across a suspension bridge which is raised in the air while a Gladiator swings a demolition ball towards them in an attempt to remove the Contender.

Powerball: Contenders have to score as many points as possible by depositing as many balls as they can into the five equally spaced scoring pods within the time limit while a Gladiator aims to tackle them to the floor.

Pyramid: The Contenders' objective is to climb the steps of the Pyramid within the time limit as two Gladiators await the Contenders, determined to stop them from reaching the summit.

The Wall: Contenders have to climb a wall as the Gladiators chase them, trying to prevent them from reaching the top by pulling them off.

The Eliminator: A grueling obstacle course spanning the arena - fire and water have been introduced to increase the difficulty of the already formidable and iconic Eliminator.