The hit 1990s series Gladiators returned to British television screens on Saturday, 24 years after its last series.
And people flocked to watch the BBC reboot – the debut episode attracted a whopping 6.4 million viewers.
The popular game show, which originally aired on ITV from 1992 to 2000, pits contestants against highly trained athletes known as “gladiators” in grueling physical challenges.
According to BBC ratings, an average of 6 million viewers, with a peak of 6.4 million, tuned in to see how the competitors fared against the new superhuman gladiators – Fury, Apollo, Fire, Legend, Dynamite, Giant, Sabre , Steel, Electro, Phantom, Athena, Nitro, Diamond and Viper.
The opening show pitted contestants Finley, Myles, Kerry and Tascha against the fearsome gladiators in classic events such as Duel and Hang Tough, as well as new events The Ring and Collision.
Hit 1990s show Gladiators returned to British TV screens on Saturday, 24 years after its last series (pictured is Gladiator Diamond)
Originally hosted by Ulrika Jonsson, the new edition was filmed at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield and hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son Barney
When the opening credits began at 5:50 p.m. with the original theme song, the audience went wild as they experienced a touch of the past.
One excited viewer even said it felt like “1995 all over again.”
Originally hosted by Ulrika Jonsson, the new edition was filmed at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield and hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son Barney.
But despite the new presenters, many praised the station for keeping the show close to the original format.
In the first of eleven episodes, viewers took a journey into the past. Some became very nostalgic and called for the return of other popular series, including Blind Date and Noel's House Party.
One viewer wrote to But no one will be able to match Jet.”
A second said: “Used it to watch the original.” I thought that was the worst considering how some media outlets were talking about it. No, I watch and feel like a child again.'
A third wrote: “Good day to the BBC for not messing around with the format of #Gladiators. “That was a great first episode!!'
When the BBC Gladiators triumphantly returned to television on Saturday evening, fans were looking forward to the new edition and taking a trip down memory lane
One viewer wrote to However, no one will be able to keep up with Jet
As the opening credits began, viewers felt like they had been given a flashback to the past as they said it felt like “1995” all over again.
But the show was thrown into turmoil when a contestant suffered a serious knee injury, requiring urgent medical attention and a shocking cancellation of the show.
Featured was athlete Finley, who took on the Gauntlet Challenge, which required participants to navigate four zones guarded by gladiators within 30 seconds.
Although Finley initially seemed confident, he suffered a horrific knee injury while facing Viper, Phantom, Steel and Apollo.
Finley was seen limping in obvious pain and covering his face, forcing the game to be abandoned, but he expressed his determination to return, stating: “I twisted my knee down there, so I don't know.” I felt something go, but this isn't the end, it won't be the last time you see me.
“I’m going to go back and recover and we’ll see what else I can give.”
“This isn’t the last of me.” No chance! No prayer!'
Despite the new hosts in the form of the funny Bradley Walsh and his son Barney, many praised the channel for keeping the show close to the original format
Contestant Finley took on the Gauntlet Challenge, which required contestants to navigate four zones guarded by gladiators within a time frame, but suffered a horrific knee injury
The original cast from 1998 (Back row – left to right: Warrior, Robber, Hunter, Saracen, Trojan. Second row – left to right: Falcon, Rhino, Cobra, Nightshade, Wolf, Panther. Front row – left to right : Amazon, Vogue, Lightning, Jet, Zodiac)
After receiving medical attention backstage, Finley was cleared for the next challenge, but was unable to score any points against Legend.
Undeterred, he emphasized his resilience, saying, “It's just barely, but no matter how many times I get knocked down, I'll always get back up.”
And he bounced back, as Finley then managed to secure a spot in the quarterfinals by defeating The Eliminator.
Reflecting on his experience, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to try again.
He said: “I’m glad I came through and put on a show for everyone here and at home.”