Gladiators fans were shocked to learn how the hit BBC show was filmed.
The physically challenging game show was revived by the broadcasting giant in January, 32 years after it originally launched on ITV and 16 years after Sky One axed a previous revival.
The Saturday night broadcast proved to be a hit for the BBC, with 28-day viewing figures showing that 9.8 million people watched the first episode.
And ahead of filming for season two, some viewers wondered how the series was actually filmed.
A fan wrote on Reddit: ‘Does BBC Gladiators actually set up and take down the equipment for the event very often during the season, between episodes/rounds (which would no doubt take ages and be VERY expensive) or are they cheating in some small (or big!) way?
Gladiators fans shocked to learn how the hit BBC show was filmed
The physically challenging game show was revived by the broadcasting giant in January, 32 years after its original launch on ITV and 16 years after Sky One axed an earlier revival
‘And if so, how? THEN HELP ME FIND OUT!’
They soon got clarity on what was really going on, with a staff member who worked on the first series writing: ‘I worked on the reboot. We film an entire series in 1 day.
‘The Eliminator is always filmed last, the other matches are filmed in a slightly different order to shorten the preparation time.
‘It takes about 40 minutes to set up the Eliminator and the rigging and set up guys are really good here.
“It’s one of the most fun things I’ve ever worked on. Great team, great show and I’m so happy it’s been so well received.”
A fan of the show, who was in the audience during the filming of season one, added: ‘We went to the first recording in Sheffield. It was the one that aired as episode two.
“The events were filmed in a different order. When we arrived, the Powerball game was already set up. They played that and then did the introductions of the participants.
Also, because it was the first episode, they did a bunch of generic promo shots that went on forever. They brought in ALL the gladiators and put in that drone shot that they show at the beginning of every episode.
‘It was about 45 minutes between each event. We had to leave before the eliminator started setting up (5 year old had to go back home for bed).
“If you watch the episode, you’ll see how many empty chairs there are during the eliminator.”
Gladiators is returning to the BBC with a celebrity spin-off after the revamped series became a huge ratings hit.
The Saturday night broadcast proved to be a hit for the BBC, with 28-day viewing figures showing that 9.8 million people watched the first episode.
Ahead of filming for season two, some viewers wondered how the series was actually filmed
A fan wrote on Reddit: ‘Does BBC Gladiators really set up and take down all the equipment for the event that often during the season?’
They soon got clarity on what was really going on, with a staff member who worked on the first series writing: ‘I worked on the reboot. We film an entire show in 1 day
The large market share made it the most successful launch of an entertainment programme on the BBC in seven years, with an average of 8.3 million people watching the eleven episodes.
The success of Gladiators means that a second season is set to return in 2025, which is expected to feature at least one celebrity-led version of the show that is normally contested by audiences.
“I can reveal that we are going to be making a celebrity special,” executive producer and managing director of Hungry Bear Media Dan Baldwin, husband of TV presenter Holly Willoughby, told Radio 4.
“You’re always watching old shows that aren’t on TV anymore. You’re always thinking of new ways to bring a show back.”
He added: ‘It is 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 emotions.
‘Series 2 will see the show go from strength to strength. We have some amazing surprises in store for the fans. Are you ready?!?’
Kalpna Patel-Knight, BBC Head of Entertainment, said: ‘Gladiators has really started the year with a bang and we’re thrilled that fans have turned out in droves to watch the show.
‘It was great to hear how much families enjoyed watching this together as part of the BBC’s Saturday night entertainment offering. We can’t wait for more Gladiators action.’
The series’ arrival on Saturday evening primetime proved a success for the BBC, with 28-day viewing figures showing that 9.8 million people watched the first episode.
The popular game show originally aired on ITV from 1992 to 2000 before returning for a single series on Sky One in 2008 (presenter Ulrika Jonsson with some of the 1994 cast)
Dom Bird, SVP of Gladiators production company MGM Alternative, International, said elsewhere: ‘It’s great to see Gladiators rekindling the excitement that this show always brings to Saturday nights in the UK.
‘We’re thrilled to have a second series confirmed for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and can’t wait to get back to work with our partners at Hungry Bear Media and the BBC.’
BBC chief executive Tim Davie had previously added a second series to his list of “big priorities” for the year, in a speech to the Royal Television Society.
He said: ‘Of course that means that, despite budgetary pressures, we will prioritise major national events – from the Coronation, Eurovision, the Proms and Glastonbury, to the Olympics and the European Championships, or Strictly or Gladiators, Children in Need or even that big drama: election night.’
Many predicted that Gladiators would get a second season after it surpassed the viewing figures of other series in January, including Dancing On Ice and The Masked Singer.
The popular game show originally aired on ITV from 1992 to 2000, before returning for a single series on Sky One in 2008.