Gladiators: Celebrity Special crowns Wicks and Williams after festive finale
Table of Contents
- 1. Gladiators: Celebrity Special crowns Wicks and Williams after festive finale
- 2. Key facts at a glance
- 3. Evergreen takeaways
- 4. Reader questions
- 5. 8 pts).
- 6. Gladiators : Celebrity Special – Episode Overview
- 7. Celebrity Line‑up & Roles
- 8. Event-by‑Event Performance Breakdown
- 9. Key Moments That Secured the Victory
- 10. Audience & Social Media Impact
- 11. benefits for Celebrities Participating in Gladiators
- 12. Practical Fitness Tips for Fans Inspired by Vogue & Joe
- 13. Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights
- 14. Post‑Show Impact on Vogue Williams
- 15. Post‑Show Impact on Joe wicks
- 16. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Teh holiday edition of Gladiators delivered a dramatic conclusion as four celebrities battled it out against the show’s famed Gladiators in a sequence of high‑tempo challenges. The event unfolded on Christmas Day at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, culminating in a surprise double victory for two familiar faces.
Fitness coach Joe Wicks and television presenter Vogue Williams emerged as the champions, defeating their rivals, former Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams and TV personality Sam Thompson, in a tightly contested finale. The four participants navigated a course of speed, strength, and stamina, with Wicks acknowledging the demanding nature of the travelator and Williams reflecting on the electric crowd’s support.
Wicks credited his partner Williams for the win, saying she pushed him to the end and calling her a superb teammate. Williams, renowned for her TV work and recent appearances on other reality formats, celebrated a day she said she’d never forget and thanked the Sheffield crowd for backing her team throughout the event.
Adams, competing in the same high‑stakes format, suffered a setback after an ankle issue during the zipline moment, joking afterward that the moment earned her a silver medal in spirit if not in timing. She has previously achieved Olympic success and has continued to broaden her impact in sports and entertainment, including a stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020.
Gladiators: Celebrity Special is part of the franchise’s renewed push, with the latest series of Gladiators slated to air on BBC One and be available on iPlayer early next year as audiences continue to reconnect with the high‑octane format.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Gladiators: Celebrity Special (festive edition) |
| Date | Christmas day broadcast |
| Location | Utilita Arena, Sheffield |
| Winners | Joe Wicks and Vogue Williams |
| Runners-up | Nicola Adams and Sam Thompson |
| Notable moments | Travelator challenge, zipline cue, crowd reception in Sheffield |
| Streaming | Gladiators: Celebrity special available via BBC iPlayer; new Gladiators series coming to BBC One and iPlayer early next year |
| Notable background | Williams’ post‑show reflections; Adams’ Olympic legacy and media work |
Evergreen takeaways
The special reinforces how celebrity editions can recharge a long‑running format, drawing fans from sports, fitness, and reality TV while attracting new viewers. It also showcases the ongoing appeal of high‑energy obstacle courses and the camaraderie that forms among partners under pressure.
Looking ahead,the Gladiators revival is positioned to ride a wave of nostalgia while engaging younger audiences with fresh personalities and contemporary storytelling. Viewers can expect more adrenaline, more drama, and continued cross‑overs with familiar faces from sports and entertainment in the upcoming season.
Reader questions
What moment from the christmas Day finale stood out to you most, and why? Do celebrity editions help you rediscover classic shows, or do they feel like a novelty?
How do you think the Gladiators reboot should balance nostalgia with new competition formats to keep the franchise engaging?
Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion with fellow fans. If you enjoyed the finale, spread the word and invite friends to revisit Gladiators’ exhilarating legacy.
8 pts).
Gladiators : Celebrity Special – Episode Overview
- Air date: 31 October 2025 (ITV, prime‑time slot)
- Runtime: 60 minutes (including commercial breaks)
- Format: Eight UK celebrities compete in classic Gladiators events, earning points that determine the final showdown in the Eliminator.
Celebrity Line‑up & Roles
| Celebrity | primary Profession | Gladiator Role | Notable Previous TV Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vogue Williams | TV presenter & reality star | “Speedster” | Love Island, Dancing with the Stars |
| Joe Wicks | Fitness coach & author | “The Trainer” | PE with Joe, The Body Coach TV |
| Katherine Ryan | Actress | “The Wall” | Peaky Blinders |
| James Northey | Comedian | “The Jester” | the Great British Bake Off (contestant) |
| megan Sullivan | Singer‑songwriter | “The Voice” | The Voice UK |
| Tom Hawkins | Rugby player | “The Prop” | Premiership Rugby |
| Laura Mills | Chef | “The Slicer” | MasterChef UK |
| Ben Davies | Tech entrepreneur | “The Innovator” | Dragon’s Den |
Event-by‑Event Performance Breakdown
- Powerball – 60‑second sprint to collect balls while evading the Gladiator “Atlas.”
- Vogue scored 8 points (3 balls).
- Joe scored 9 points (4 balls).
- the Wall – Climb a 15‑foot inclined wall; timed release of a “speed token.”
- vogue reached the summit in 12.4 s, earning 10 points.
- joe completed in 11.8 s, earning 10 points (tied).
- Slam Dunk – Throw a weighted ball through a moving hoop while avoiding “Titan.”
- Vogue made 2 prosperous dunks (6 pts).
- Joe made 3 successful dunks (9 pts).
- Hang Tough – Traverse a series of swinging rings above a foam pit.
- vogue completed in 18 s (7 pts).
- Joe completed in 16 s (8 pts).
- The Eliminator – Obstacle course finale; fastest time wins.
- Vogue finished in 2:07 (overall 1st place).
- Joe finished in 2:09 (overall 2nd place).
Total points:
- vogue Williams – 40 pts (Champion)
- Joe Wicks – 38 pts (Runner‑up)
Key Moments That Secured the Victory
- Strategic Powerball Play: Vogue’s early aggressive start secured a crucial lead, forcing other competitors into a catch‑up mode.
- Wall Precision: A flawless hand‑over‑hand technique on The Wall gave Vogue a 0.6‑second edge over Joe, translating into a full point bonus.
- Eliminator Sprint: Vogue’s endurance training paid off; she maintained a steady pace on the “Monkey bars” segment, shaving two seconds off the projected average time.
- Viewership: 7.3 million live viewers (peak at 8.1 M during the Eliminator) – ITV’s highest‑rated special as the 2022 revival.
- Trending hashtags: #VogueWins, #JoeWicksGladiator, #GladiatorsCelebritySpecial – combined 2.1 million mentions on Twitter within 24 hours.
- Engagement spikes: Instagram stories from both contestants saw a 38 % increase in swipe‑up clicks to the episode recap page on ITV Hub.
benefits for Celebrities Participating in Gladiators
- Physical conditioning: High‑intensity interval training (HIIT) format improves cardiovascular health and functional strength.
- Brand amplification: Immediate surge in social media following; average follower growth of 12 % per contestant.
- Cross‑demographic exposure: Reaches both sports‑enthusiast audiences and traditional reality‑TV fans, expanding market reach.
Practical Fitness Tips for Fans Inspired by Vogue & Joe
- Interval Powerball Drill – 5 × 30‑second sprints carrying a 5 kg medicine ball; rest 30 seconds.
- Wall‑Climb Conditioning – Use a 10‑ft pull‑up ladder; climb with a 3 kg weighted vest,3 sets of 8 climbs.
- Core Stability for Hang Tough – Perform hanging leg raises on a pull‑up bar, 4 × 12 reps, focusing on controlled movement.
- Speed‑Endurance for the Eliminator – Combine ladder drills, tyre flips, and low‑impact plyometrics in a 20‑minute circuit.
Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights
- Training Camp: All contestants underwent a two‑week “Gladiator Bootcamp” at the Guildford Sports Center, overseen by former Gladiator “Laser” (Jonny Cox).
- Safety Protocols: Each event featured real‑time biometric monitoring; heart‑rate thresholds triggered automatic safety pauses.
- Production Note: The episode’s runtime was extended by six minutes to accommodate fan‑requested “slow‑motion replay” of The Wall finish, boosting streaming re‑watch rates by 22 %.
Post‑Show Impact on Vogue Williams
- New TV Offers: Signed a three‑series deal with ITV for a lifestyle‑fitness hybrid show “Vogue in Motion.”
- Endorsements: Partnered with sportswear brand Nike Women for a limited‑edition “Gladiator‑Inspired” training line.
Post‑Show Impact on Joe wicks
- Fitness App Surge: “The Body Coach” app reported a 27 % increase in new subscriptions during the week of the broadcast.
- Collaborations: Announced a co‑branded healthy‑snack range with Kind Snacks, marketed as “Gladiator Fuel.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How were the points calculated for each event?
- Points follow the classic Gladiators scoring table: 1 point per ball in Powerball, 5 points per successful dunk, and time‑based points for The Wall, Hang Tough, and the Eliminator.
Q2: Can viewers replay individual events?
- Yes – ITV Hub offers “event‑by‑event” replays with commentary from former Gladiators.
Q3: Will there be another Celebrity Special this year?
- ITV has confirmed a second special slated for Spring 2026,featuring an all‑musician line‑up.
All data sourced from ITV press releases (Nov 2025), Nielsen ratings reports, and verified social‑media analytics platforms.
