Celebrity Gladiators will see a Strictly Come Dancing star and an I’m A Celebrity campmate put through their paces after the 2025 line-up was confirmed. 

Nicola Adams, who appeared on Strictly in 2020, and the jungle winner Sam Thompson have both signed up.

They will be joined at Sheffield Arena by Irish presenter Vogue Williams and fitness expert Joe Wicks.

The foursome will be seen tackling the Gladiators in the special spin-off later this year, the BBC has revealed.

TV insiders have claimed show bosses have deliberately picked celebrities who can “give the Gladiators a run for their money”.

It comes after last year’s Celebrity Gladiators featured three comedians and a BBC broadcaster. None of them fared particularly well against the elite athletes.

A source told The Sun: “Producers of the debut celebrity version played it for laughs with three comedians taking part – with hilarious results for viewers.

“But this year they’ve assembled four celebrities who can give the Gladiators a serious run for their money, and serve up a clash to savour.”

Celebrity Gladiators line-up: Sam Thompson

Sam Thompson first found fame on E4 reality show Made In Chelsea. Since breaking away, he has forged a successful career as a broadcaster, presenting on both TV and radio.

In 2023, Sam was crowned King Of The Jungle in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!. He has since co-hosted its spin-off series I’m A Celebrity: Unpacked.

In June this year, Sam completed a gruelling 260-mile journey to raise money for UNICEF’s Soccer Aid. The challenge was a combination of cycling and running and he was left limping with a calf injury by the end. Sam raised a staggering £2million for the charity.

Sam, 32, says: “Just when I’ve finished one challenge I’m onto the next, and this time I’m up against real life Gladiators! Bring it on and get me up that travelator!

“But on a serious note, I genuinely can’t wait to take part, I’m so excited. I grew up watching the show, so to now be taking on the Gladiators in real life is really cool.

Nicola Adams

Nicola Adams OBE will definitely put up a fight when confronted with the Gladiators in the Celebrity spin-off. She is a former professional boxer who won gold at the London 2012 Olympics and gold at Rio 2016.

In 2020, Nicola was one half of the first same-sex couple to take part in Strictly Come Dancing. She was partnered with Katya Jones. Unfortunately, they had to pull out of the competition early after Katya tested positive for Covid-19.

Speaking about Celebrity Gladiators, 42-year-old Nicola said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of the Gladiators Celebrity Special. It’s such an iconic show and growing up, I loved watching the epic battles and strong personalities.

“Now, getting the chance to step into that arena myself, it’s a whole new kind of challenge. I may be a champion in the boxing ring, but this is different. I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got!”

Joe Wicks

Joe Wicks – aka The Body Coach – is also known to millions as the nation’s PE teacher, following the Covid-19 pandemic.

During lockdown, Joe held daily online fitness and PE sessions to keep people active. He went on to receive an MBE from The Queen for PE With Joe.

Joe’s debut book Lean In 15: 15 Minute Meals was a bestseller, shifting a whopping 900,000 copies. His YouTube page, The Body Coach, is one of the most followed fitness accounts on the platform.

The 39-year-old dad-of-four should have no problem taking on the Gladiators. He says: “Gladiators is one of the most iconic shows of all time, and I’m absolutely buzzing to be taking part.

“I grew up watching it, so to now step into the arena myself is going to be an incredible experience. I know it’s going to be tough, but I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.”

Vogue Williams

Vogue Williams is best known for her presenting work on both TV and radio. She has also starred in her own reality series with her husband, former Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews.

The Irish mum-of-three, 39, is keen on fitness and proved her strength in Bear Grylls: Mission Survive. She won the 2015 series of the telly show, which saw eight celebrities take part in a 12-day survival challenge. 

Speaking about her place in the Celebrity Gladiators line-up, Vogue says: “This is wild. I have loved this show since I was little and I’ll be living out my childhood dream just stepping into the arena. But I can’t quite process how I’ll actually face these amazing Gladiators. I’m just delighted to be a contender!”

Who are the Gladiators? Who will host the spin-off

When it comes to the Gladiators line-up, all the fan favourites will be back for the Celebrity spin-off. They are: Apollo, Athena, Bionic, Comet, Cyclone, Diamond and Dynamite. Electro, Fire, Fury, Giant, Hammer, Legend, Nitro, Phantom, Sabre, Steel and Viper complete the list.

They will be going up against the celebs in challenges including Duel, The Wall and the legendary Eliminator.

It is believed Gladiators presenters Bradley and Barney Walsh will also be returning to host the Celebrity special.

When will Celebrity Gladiators air?

The BBC is yet to confirm an exact date for Celebrity Gladiators. However, the broadcaster has said it will air later this year.

Last year’s hour-long special of the show aired during the Christmas period. The celebs who faced the Gladiators were comedians Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett and Ellie Taylor, and BBC Breakfast host Louise Minchin.

Louise famously needed a leg up from host Mark Clattenburg during the final Eliminator round.

Hopefully this year’s crop of celebs will fare a little better!

Read more: Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Rumoured celebrity line-up from Stacey Solomon to Stefan Dennis

Celebrity Gladiators will return to BBC One later this year. The third series of Gladiators airs in early 2026.