FOUR famous faces are limbering up and putting on their Lycra to compete against the Gladiators.
The BBC One series sees competitors go up against the 16 superhuman Gladiators in tasks of speed, strength and skill, before facing the iconic Eliminator to be crowned winner.
Now, in an hour-long special, comedians Rob Beckett and Joel Dommett, presenter Louise Minchin, and actress Ellie Taylor will be put to the test.
And for The Masked Singer host Joel, it’s fulfilling a lifelong dream.
He said: “I can’t believe I’m taking part!
“It’s always been my dream to be on that travelator.
“I’ve been illegally running up escalators all my life in preparation, now it’s happening for real.
“Super excited to be up against all my favourite muscly people in leotards and have some fun!”
Louise shared his enthusiasm, adding: “I am so excited to be on Gladiators, I have watched the show for years and have always thought it looked like terrifying fun and I can’t wait to be part of it!”
But TV host Rob admitted he doesn’t share the same high hopes for his performance.
He joked: “This is going to be a catastrophic humiliation in front of the nation. I’ve got no idea why I agreed to this.
“I can’t wait to be absolutely crushed by the Gladiators in front of my wife and children in spandex whilst I watch Joel and his 6 pack sprint past me on the travelator.”
While Ellie added: “Me being on Celeb Gladiators is the answer to the question ‘What’s the most elaborate thing you’d do to get your 5-year-old a foam finger?’.
“We all love the show in my house and I’m so excited to take part! I can’t wait to get chased by athletic goddesses and ask Viper about his childhood.”
It follows the announcement of a second series of the show, which is currently filming in Sheffield, following a successful first series on the BBC.
Millions tuned into to watch a new set of aspiring fitness fanatics take on the Gladiators, with the show’s launch the most successful with 9.8million viewers.
Hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh return alongside Gladiators Sabre, Legend, Nitro, Diamond, Phantom, Athena, Bionic, Fire, Giant, Dynamite, Viper, Electro, Apollo, Comet, Steel and Fury.
The bosses in charge of the show have teased that series two will see some “amazing surprises.”
Dan Baldwin, boss of Hungry Bear Media, which makes the primetime competition, gushed: “It’s no exaggeration to say that the response to Gladiators has been phenomenal.
“The episodes have been packed with nail-biting drama, thrilling action and huge emotion.
“Series 2 will see the show go from strength to strength. e have some amazing surprises in store for the fans.
“Are you ready?”
