Gladiators fans were outraged after tuning into the final of the BBC show on Saturday evening.
Marie-Louise Nicholson and Finlay Anderson were crowned gladiator champions in the grand final, after eleven weeks of grueling challenges and fierce gladiators.
While Marie-Louise triumphed over Bronte Jones and Finlay beat fellow finalist Wesley Male, neither took home a cash prize, much to the disappointment of fans.
The two champions each received a trophy for their efforts, but viewers were quick to comment on the ‘huge downgrade’ from the original ’90s series.
In previous years, 12 cars and prizes totaling more than £45,000 were won on the ITV version of the show.
Gladiators fans are outraged as they called a ‘major downgrade’ from the original ’90s show after the 2024 champions were crowned in Saturday’s final
Marie-Louise Nicholson and Finlay Anderson (pictured) were crowned gladiator champions in the grand final, after eleven weeks of grueling challenges and fierce gladiators
However, Marie-Louise and Finlay did not go home richer, as fans took to Twitter to share their frustrations.
One joked: ‘That I send out that search party for the prize money after I win a Gladiators victory?! LIKE COME ONNNN. I even ran a 1994 Jeep over that trophy!!”
Others wrote: ‘THEY DON’T GET A PRIZE?! Major downgrade from the 90s; ‘Didn’t they win a bigger prize than a trophy in the 90s or was that my imagination’; “So there’s no real prize after all?”
‘All that for a trophy? Where are the car and the cash prize?’; “They do all that for a trophy and not a cash prize?” #Gladiators’; ‘Is there a cash prize for winning #Gladiators – it used to be £50,000 and a petrol-guzzling jeep’.
‘Legendary final #Gladiators (where’s the prize money?)’; ‘Give the winner a prize for #gladiators series 2, please.’ ; ‘Surprised they didn’t win a prize with Gladiators, even if it was for charity.’
Another even accused the BBC of being cheap as they raged: ‘#gladiators Show us the money! How cheap can @bbc get?! The winners do not receive a cash prize; no car; no vacation in the Bahamas?!!? That’s shameful considering this is one of the few successful new shows the BBC has. Get it right next time! ps. Jet!’
Earlier this week it was confirmed that Gladiators will return for a second series, leaving fans clamoring for an award next time.
The rebooted show has been a ratings success story, with the debut episode attracting a whopping 6.4 million viewers.
Although Marie-Louise triumphed over Bronte Jones (L) and Finlay (R) defeated fellow finalist Wesley Male, neither took home a cash prize, much to the disappointment of fans.
However, Marie-Louise and Finlay did not go home richer, as fans took to Twitter to share their frustrations
The popular game show, which originally aired on ITV from 1992 to 2000, is returning to the BBCto BBC chief Tim Davis included the series in its list of ‘big priorities’ for the year in a speech to the Royal Television Society on Monday.
He said: ‘It does of course mean that, despite budget pressures, we will prioritize big national occasions – from the Coronation, the Eurovision Song Contest, 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 had predicted that a second series of Gladiators was on the way after it eclipsed the ratings of other shows including Dancing On Ice and The Masked Singer in January.
After her win, Marie-Louis told host Bradley Walsh: “Bronte was on my heels the whole time, what a competitor to be up against, she was so close to the end there. I think in my eyes we are both winners.’
Meanwhile, Army Officer Finlay took on wrestler Wesley in the final event, but ran faster to the top of the travelator and burst through the paper to become champion.
“This is definitely the most surreal moment ever: from the five-year-old me playing The Eliminator in my grandma’s living room to the moment I picked up the real deal, this is incredible,” the 34-year-old said.
