Celebrities... ready!

Famous faces planning to make show a huge hit

- BY TOM BRYANT

FOUR famous faces will take part in one of the toughest gameshows on telly and tackle the mighty Gladiators.

Hosted by Bradley and Barney Walsh, the onehour Christmas special features the nation's PE teacher Joe Wicks, TV star Sam Thompson, Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams and Irish podcaster Vogue Williams going head to head in the famous arena.

They will take on popular events, including the Gauntlet and Duel, before facing off against each other in the famous Eliminator.

We spoke to the fab four during filming about taking on some of the biggest and toughest stars on the box.

Gladiators: Celebrity Special is on BBC1 on Christmas Day at 3.35pm.

Sam Thompson

HE has had a tough 2025 but Sam says ending it in the Gladiators Arena has been a "bucket list" experience.

The former I'm A Celebrity champ announced his split from his partner Zara McDermott at the start of the year and saw her move on with One Direction's Louis Tomlinson.

But Sam says he's in the best place after dedicating the year to transforming his mind and body.

"This has been the year of fitness for me," he reveals.

"I mean, we did the run and cycle for Soccer Aid, now I'm doing Gladiators.

"I think sometimes you look in the mirror and you go, 'Do you know what? I think it's time to get in shape'.

I'm in my 30s now, 33 years old.

"So l think it's definitely time to look after yourself a little bit more. It's been amazing. I feel physically and mentally really good.

"There is no better feeling than getting to the gym and feeling good about yourself. I don't care what anyone says.