GLADIATORS viewers have hit out as they spot a cast member becoming the new villain.
The show, which now airs on BBC One, made its return to screens this weekend with a stellar line-up of athletes challenging members of the public to take them on.
While the comeback series generated a lot of excitement, viewers were quick to draw comparisons to the original programme that aired from 1992 to 2000 on ITV.
Quang Luong has taken on the role of Viper, and in the first episode, viewers witnessed him flaunting his rock-hard biceps while trying to intimidate his competitor.
However, it appears that Viper’s efforts fell short of expectations, as many took to social media to argue that his performance did not measure up to Wolf.
One person wrote: “Is Viper the fraud version of Wolf?”
Another said: “Viper trying to be the new Wolf and failing.”
“Viper is no Wolf,” a third commented.
A fourth put: “Viper is like the wish version of Wolf.”
“So Viper is meant to be the Wolf character. He’s about as scary as a tea cosy,” noted one other viewer.
It comes as a Gladiators legend Wolf has taken a savage swipe at the new reboot.
Now 70, Michael Van Wijk, who shot to fame in the early 90s on the show has given his thoughts, and he didn’t hold back.
Speaking to this week’s Radio Times, he said: “No disrespect to the new Gladiators but there’s a lot more competition now with streaming and social media.
“We pulled in 13m viewers at our peak. They’ll have difficulty matching that.
Michael was also asked if he would ever go back on the show, to which he replied: “I wouldn’t mind. I still work out five days a week, lifting weights with guys half my age.
“I could do Gladiators tomorrow…”
