Gladiators hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh reveal why BBC bosses have BANNED them from trying show’s infamous challenges

GLADIATORS hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh have revealed they are BANNED from attempting any of the show's infamous games.

The father-and-son duo has presented the BBC‘s Gladiators reboot since 2023.

Speaking onThe Chris Evans Breakfast Show with The National Lottery on Virgin Radio UK, the pair told how show bosses go to great lengths stopping them trying the infamous challenges.

Host Chris asked Bradley and Barney: “Do you get to have a go?”

To which Barney replied: “No, no and I wish I got to because I'd love to have a go at that stuff.

“They won’t let us, because of insurance. I would love to have a go at the Eliminator.

“I think that's such an exciting thing to do... the zip line from the top to the bottom I think that’s so cool.”

Continuing, the duo were asked whether they could use the show's pugil sticks.

Barney answered: “No, we can’t do any of it.”

The Chase presenter Bradley added: “They won’t let you up on the podium, even though there’s crash mats.”

Barney further explained: “In fact, so much so they do the games rehearsals and the events rehearsals without us and they bring us in after.

“So they do all of that with the Gladiators and then they bring us in so that we don’t have time to do it even if we wanted to.”;

It comes as Gladiators' fate was recently revealed after two series on air.

The BBC have confirmed a third outing for the sports entertainment game show.

Bosses are on the look out for brave members of the British public who have the speed and skill to take on the superhuman Gladiators.

Bradley Walsh's career

Actor, presenter and comedian Bradley Walsh has been involved with multiple hit programmes throughout his career. Let's take a look at some of the star's memorable appearances over the years.

• Wheel of Fortune (1997): Bradley became the second host of the popular game show, succeeding Nicky Campbell who'd left after eight years. His tenure on this programme lasted just one year.
• Night and Day (2002-2003): A recurring role on this mystery soap opera for ITV saw Bradley play Woody Dexter, brother to Danny Dexter (Shane Richie).
• Coronation Street (2004-2006): An expansion of Corrie's Baldwin family in 2006 saw Bradley arrive as Danny Baldwin, son to Mike (Johnny Briggs). He exited the ITV soap after two years in the role.
• Law & Order: UK (2009-2014): An iteration of Dick Wolf's popular US “Law and Order” franchise, Bradley starred as DS Ronnie Brooks throughout the entire run.
• The Chase/Beat the Chasers: (2009/2020 – present): A move back into game show hosting has seen Bradley front hit show The Chase since 2009. Members of the public take on high-level professional quizzers in a bid to win thousands of pounds. A spin-off, “Beat the Chasers” began in 2020.
• Cash Trapped (2016-2019): This game show was not only presented by Bradley, but based on his idea. 65 episodes aired across three series.
• Doctor Who (2018-2022): Bradley played the role of Graham O'Brien, companion to the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) in the long-running BBC sci-fi series. He has appeared in one episode as a guest since departing the regular cast.
• Blankety Blank (2020 – present): The star began hosting a revival series of the beloved game show for the BBC in 2020. Three series and a Christmas special have aired to date.
• The Larkins (2021-2022): An adaptation of H.E. Bates' novel The Darling Buds of May, Bradley starred as “Pop” Larkin. The show lasted two series.
• Gladiators (2024 – present): Bradley co-presents the BBC's revival of the classic game show with his son Barney. It is the third iteration of the format to air on British TV.

Meanwhile two newGladiators joined the pack in series two, boosting the squad to a whopping 18.

World rowing champion Tom Wilson took on the moniker “Hammer”, while powerlifter Lystus Ebosele became “Cyclone”.

The original version of Gladiators first became popular when it made its debut onITVback in 1992.

Gladiators airs on BBC One and iPlayer.