Saturday night saw contenders back in the ring to try to beat the Gladiators in a string of tough challenges – but one of the tasks was deemed unfair by many fans of the BBC show

Fans of the Gladiators were up in arms on Saturday night as they fumed over one of the trials that the challengers faced.

The smash hit BBC revival has been thrilling viewers since it returned to screens with a second season at the beginning of the year. On Saturday night, fans watched as the contestants entered the fourth heat of the season – with more daredevil tasks required of the cast of challengers.

But one challenge in particular, called Unleash, caused frustration for viewers as contenders Stacey, Poppy, Joe and Junior were forced to race Electro, Fire, Apollo and Phantom across the course. Rules for the trail were strict – with the contenders given a three second head start and then tasked with running along a horseshoe-shaped track.

They then had to leap over a shallow wall, break through a second wall, and then tackle a block of steps. But viewers felt it was unfair that those taking part had to touch every single step at this point of the challenge – meaning they had to take the stairs one step at a time.

The BBC revival has been generally well received by fans ( 
Image:
BBC/Hungry Bear Media Ltd/Graeme Hunter)

Taking to X, many complained about the harsh rules, with one writing: “I really hope they change the one step at the time rule for unleashed in the next series as it’s a really unfair rule #Gladiators.” And another complained: “Think it’s absolute bulls**t to make them run up the steps one at a time. Instantly slowing down and giving the chaser an open target. #Gladiators.”

Further fans fumed over the trial, with one writing: “The stairs in Unleash are so unfair! How is anyone going to make it up going one at a time?! #Gladiators.” Another complaining: “Unleashed is so dumb. Ain’t no way anyone’s out running an Olympian from a standing start & taking one stair at a time #Gladiators.” And another offered an improvement, writing: “How to make ‘Unleash’ better: – replace the wall with another jump – scrap the one-step rule.”

Ahead of the current season, Bradley and his 27-year-old son Barney Walsh, who co-hosts the show, revealed the challenges had been made more difficult for the new batch of contestants. Bradley revealed to the BBC: “The new series is just fantastic, the Gladiators mean business and they are back tougher than before.

“There are some new events this series including the return of a fan favourite, and throughout the series lots of other exciting surprises. The contenders now have helmet cameras fitted, you might have seen from the celebrity special, so you can literally see what they are faced with when going up against the Gladiators. It’s a great new feature and brings a whole new dimension to what you see.”

While Barney added: “One of the new games is called Unleash. The contenders start in a smoke filled tunnel and race around a track and up some steps to grab the winning flag, but an unknown Gladiator is unleashed behind them trying to chase them down. You’re going to love it.”

He added: “I think the public have really connected with the Gladiators because they have strong identities, all with slightly different strengths and disciplines and all with distinctive moves – so everyone can have a different favourite. All the Gladiators are incredible athletes, they are inspiring and super competitive but respect the contenders and bring great sportsmanship… well, apart from Legend and Viper.”