Celebrity Gogglebox 2026: How Gladiators' Nitro feared a serious injury would end his sprinting career
Nitro - real name Harry - was left terrified he wouldn't even be able to walk after hurting himself in 2024Gladiators star Nitro – real name Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – is stepping out of the arena putting his feet up in front of the telly for Celebrity Gogglebox 2026.
The athlete, who appeared in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing, has joined the Channel 4 show alongside fellow Gladiator Legend.
Nitro and Legend, whose real name is Matt Morsia, join six other new faces on Celebrity Gogglebox to give their hilarious armchair verdicts on all the latest TV shows each week.
In a clip to promote their signing, Legend scoffed popcorn as he marvelled at the thought of being paid “to watch TV”.
Nitro, meanwhile, seemed very excited about their new job!
Here’s everything you need to know about Gogglebox’s Nitro – aka Harry – from his sporting achievements and TV career, to family life.
Celebrity Gogglebox 2026: Who is Nitro (real name Harry Aikines-Aryeetey)?
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was born on August 29, 1988, in Carshalton, Surrey, to Ghanaian parents. This makes him 37 years old. As a teenager, he attended Greenshaw High School in nearby Sutton.
Harry showed a natural talent for running from a young age. According to Team England, he realised his speed when running away quickly from a ferocious dog! By 2003, he had set an Under-14s record for 100m.
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At age 17, Harry began making headlines after winning gold in both the 100m and 200m at the 2005 World Youth Championships. This incredible feat earned him the coveted title of BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.
Previous winners of the prestigious BBC title included footballer Wayne Rooney and tennis player Andy Murray. Both went on to be top of their field in their respective sports.
At the time of winning, Harry said: “I’d just like to thank everyone who has helped me. Hopefully, there is more to come.” And he wasn’t wrong. Harry was also awarded the IAFF’s Rising Star of the Year award in the same year.
Harry’s sporting achievements
Over the next decade, Harry collected medals across some of the biggest athletics stages. He won bronze in the 4x100m relay at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. At the 2014 European Championships in Zürich, he took bronze in the 100m and gold in the 4x100m relay.
Harry repeated relay golds in 2018 and 2022 in European competitions, and added two more relay golds for England at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and 2022.
With personal bests of 10.00s for 100m and 20.46s for 200m, Harry’s speed and consistency made him one of Britain’s young stand-outs in sprinting.
Nitro’s Olympic debut
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey made his Olympic debut with Team GB in 2008. He was selected for the 4x100m relay team at the Beijing Games. But Harry ended up in the non-competing team due to previous injuries. Harry had suffered minor fractures in his spine that required an 11-month recovery period.
Harry returned to the world’s biggest stage eight years later at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. This time, he was able to compete for Team GB. Harry ran in the 4×100 relay. Team GB finished in 5th place.
When was Nitro on Strictly Come Dancing?
Harry – aka Nitro – joined the cast of Strictly Come Dancing in 2025. His signing came following his success on the 2024 Christmas special with partner Nancy Xui.
Second time around, Nitro was partnered with professional dancer Karen Hauer. And his moves certainly got head judge Shirley Ballas’ heart racing!
One of his most memorable dances with Karen was his Cha-Cha Salt-N-Pepa’s ‘Push It’. During the routine, Karen climbed on Nitro’s back in her high heels and he performed several press ups.
The pair were the sixth couple to be eliminated from Strictly 2025. Harry described the experience as a “dream come true”.
What was the injury that almost ruined Harry’s career?
Harry had been left choking back tears at the end of his first live performance in Week 1 of Strictly 2025. The Gladiator spoke about an injury he suffered in 2023, admitting he feared he would be able to “walk or run” because of it.
As Nitro, he had been forced to withdraw from series two of Gladiators after seriously injuring his knee. The show went out in January 2024 and he was missing from the line-up.
Harry said at the time: “Speed is my thing, but sometimes life throws a curveball! During training for series 2 earlier this year, I picked up an unexpected knee injury, which means I’ll be shifting gears this series and sitting out the events.
“But don’t worry, I’m recharging and more energised than ever! You’ll still catch me bringing the Nitro spirit to your screens, hyping up my fellow Gladiators, and keeping the energy sky-high.”
Thankfully, after physio and training, Harry was soon back to his best by the time the ballroom came around.
He told Strictly host Tess Daly after his first dance, a Samba: “This time last year, I wasn’t able to do anything like that. I never thought I’d be myself again. I had an injury and didn’t know if I’d be able to walk, run…
“Yeah, I just feel emotional. I’ve dreamed of this moment. Even though I did Christmas, I wasn’t 100 per cent. But I’m here and I’m 100 per cent and I’m thankful.”
Nitro returned to Gladiators fighting fit in January 2026.
Why is Celebrity Gogglebox’s Harry called Nitro on Gladiators?
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was selected as one of the new Gladiators when the classic 90s TV show was rebooted. The show switched from its original home on ITV and debuted on BBC One in January 2024.
Harry is known by his Gladiators name, Nitro, to fans.
Nitro previously told BBC’ Newsround: “Our personalities choose our names. You know, I was born Nitro. I’m full of energy. Nitro is a compound you can find in nitro methane, nitro oxide, nitro glycerin… it’s an explosive compound.
Explaining the reason behind his Gladiators moniker, Harry said: “I’m fast, I’m powerful and I’m also a social butterfly. The same way that you might say Legend is a legend for the wrong reasons. Viper being Viper because he’s a bit snakey. Our names are us. Once you look deep within yourself, you find our Gladiator.”
Nitro will be back in the Gladiators arena when the BBC show returns in 2027. He is also the host of spin-off CBBC series, Gladiators: Epic Pranks, which can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
Harry has also appeared on MTV’s Celebs on the Farm and he finished fourth in BBC’s Celebrity MasterChef 2024. He’s also taken part in Richard Osman’s House of Games on BBC One.
Is Nitro married?
Harry is married to wife Lauren. The couple tied the knot in 2019 and are parents to six-year-old daughter, Aubree-Isla.
Aubree-Isla celebrated her fifth birthday just days before her dad’s Strictly debut last year.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Can’t believe my little shadow is already 5. She’s grown, got more sass than me, and somehow still manages to be my partner in crime. Being a girl dad… undefeated feeling. Girl dads know, you don’t raise daughters, they raise you.”
Harry often shares glimpses of his family on social media, alongside workout and fitness posts.
When does Celebrity Gogglebox 2026 start?
Celebrity Gogglebox 2026 starts on Friday June 5, 2026. Nitro and Legend will both be in the first episode of the series, which starts on Channel 4 at 9pm.
Other celebrities who have joined the Celebrity Gogglebox family include Olivia Attwood, Julian Clary and Nigel Havers. Nitro’s former Strictly Come Dancing pal, George Clarke, will also be on the show.
Can’t wait!
