Gladiators presenter Barney Walsh revealed producers banned him from taking part in the events during filming.
The Casualty star, 26, was announced as the host of Gladiators alongside famous father Bradley Walsh.
The original series, which ran until 2000, was fronted by Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu from 1992 to 1996. The Swedish TV star was joined by Jeremy Guscott from 1997 to 1998 before John returned for the final series in 1999.
Now, the iconic gameshow will welcome a new generation of superhuman Gladiators who will go head-to-head with contenders in the ultimate test of strength. Barney opened up on his new role, admitting he fancied a go at the events himself.
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The actor told Daily Star and other press: “I can’t lie to you, I wanted a go at the games. But they wouldn’t let me because they didn’t want me hosting with crutches. I really wanted a go on the eliminator.”
Barney continued: “It was so much fun to go and watch. I think for us to go a few days early and see the games, especially the new games. We spent a lot of time studying the old games but to see the new games was really exciting.”
Gladiators fans will be faced with the iconic challenges from the original series, but will also treated to three brand-new games. Teasing more, Bradley, 63, said: “There’s an unbelievable game coming up.”
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Barney added: “There’s one more game called the edge which hasn’t been seen yet. It’s phenomenal.” Bradley chipped in: “It really is. It’s extraordinary.” The Edge sees both contenders and gladiators raised thirty feet off the arena floor on a criss-cross grid of one-metre wide walkways.
Bradley recalled watching them compete in the event for the first time, saying: “Watching the Gladiators first step foot on it and them watching them pussyfoot around it thinking, ‘Hang on a minute. This is higher than I thought’. It was great to watch. It’s a brilliant game.”
The Chase presenter added: “Whoever came up with that, it’s absolute genius.” Bradley admitted he jumped at the chance of hosting the iconic series due to his personal connection with the show. He explained: “My wife, Donna, was involved in the original series running the cheerleading G Force and was an associate producer on the show so I used to visit her and watch the show being made and when my son, Barney was born it was still on air, so we used to take him to watch the show.
“I took part in Gladiators as a celebrity years ago in 1997, I wasn’t really a celebrity back then as I only had a few jobs under my belt and think I had to fill in for someone. It was a family affair for us and so when the team at Hungry Bear spoke to us and said they were looking for a family appeal to the show and asked if we would we like to host it, and we jumped at the chance.”
