When is Celebrity Gladiators 2025? Exact date of Christmas special starring Vogue Williams and Joe Wicks
Let's hope this year's celebs are better in the arena than the last lotCelebrity Gladiators is returning to the BBC this year for a brand new Christmas special – but what date is it on?
The hugely popular show will feature your favourite Gladiators and four brave celebrity contestants who are willing to take them on.
Expect some highs, lows – and laughter. Who can forget BBC Breakfast star Louise Minchin needing a leg-up from Mark Clattenburg last year?!
TV insiders have previously claimed show bosses have deliberately picked celebrities who can “give the Gladiators a run for their money”.
A source told The Sun: “Producers of the debut celebrity version played it for laughs with three comedians taking part – with hilarious results for viewers.
“But this year they’ve assembled four celebrities who can give the Gladiators a serious run for their money, and serve up a clash to savour.”
Here’s the exact date when Celebrity Gladiators is on this Christmas and who the famous contenders are.
Celebrity Gladiators: Sam Thompson
Sam Thompson, 33, will be taking part in this year’s Celebrity Gladiators.
Sam first found fame on E4 reality show Made In Chelsea. Since breaking away, he has forged a successful career as a broadcaster, presenting on both TV and radio.
In 2023, Sam was crowned King Of The Jungle in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!. He has since co-hosted its spin-off series I’m A Celebrity: Unpacked.
In June this year, Sam completed a gruelling 260-mile journey to raise money for UNICEF’s Soccer Aid. The challenge was a combination of cycling and running and he was left limping with a calf injury by the end. Sam raised a staggering £2million for the charity.
Sam says: “Just when I’ve finished one challenge I’m onto the next, and this time I’m up against real life Gladiators! Bring it on and get me up that travelator!
“But on a serious note, I genuinely can’t wait to take part, I’m so excited. I grew up watching the show, so to now be taking on the Gladiators in real life is really cool.
Nicola Adams
Nicola Adams OBE will definitely put up a fight when confronted with the Gladiators in the Celebrity spin-off. She is a former professional boxer who won gold at the London 2012 Olympics and gold at Rio 2016.
In 2020, Nicola was one half of the first same-sex couple to take part in Strictly Come Dancing. She was partnered with Katya Jones. Unfortunately, they had to pull out of the competition early after Katya tested positive for Covid-19.
Speaking about Celebrity Gladiators, 43-year-old Nicola said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of the Gladiators Celebrity Special. It’s such an iconic show and growing up, I loved watching the epic battles and strong personalities.
“Now, getting the chance to step into that arena myself, it’s a whole new kind of challenge. I may be a champion in the boxing ring, but this is different. I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got!”
Celebrity Gladiators: Joe Wicks
Joe Wicks – aka The Body Coach – is also known to millions as the nation’s PE teacher, following the Covid-19 pandemic.
During lockdown, Joe held daily online fitness and PE sessions to keep people active. He went on to receive an MBE from The Queen for PE With Joe.
Joe’s debut book Lean In 15: 15 Minute Meals was a bestseller, shifting a whopping 900,000 copies. His YouTube page, The Body Coach, is one of the most followed fitness accounts on the platform.
The 40-year-old dad-of-four should have no problem taking on the Gladiators. He says: “Gladiators is one of the most iconic shows of all time, and I’m absolutely buzzing to be taking part.
“I grew up watching it, so to now step into the arena myself is going to be an incredible experience. I know it’s going to be tough, but I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.”
Vogue Williams
Vogue Williams will be very familiar to fans of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! The Irish TV and radio presenter appeared on the most recent series of the ITV show and showed herself to be rather fearless.
Vogue has also starred in her own reality series with her husband, former Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews.
The mum-of-three, 40, is keen on fitness and also proved her strength in Bear Grylls: Mission Survive. She won the 2015 series of the telly show, which saw eight celebrities take part in a 12-day survival challenge.
Speaking about her place in the Celebrity Gladiators line-up, Vogue says: “This is wild. I have loved this show since I was little and I’ll be living out my childhood dream just stepping into the arena. But I can’t quite process how I’ll actually face these amazing Gladiators. I’m just delighted to be a contender!”
Who are the Gladiators? Who will host the Christmas special?
When it comes to the Gladiators line-up, all the fan favourites will be back for the Celebrity spin-off. They are: Apollo, Athena, Bionic, Comet, Cyclone, Diamond and Dynamite. Electro, Fire, Fury, Giant, Hammer, Legend, Nitro, Phantom, Sabre, Steel and Viper complete the list.
They will be going up against the celebs in challenges including Duel, The Wall and the legendary Eliminator.
Gladiators presenters, Bradley and Barney Walsh, will also be returning to host the Celebrity special.
What date is Celebrity Gladiators on over Christmas?
The BBC has saved this one for the big day… Celebrity Gladiators will air on Christmas Day this year (Wednesday December 25, 2025).
The festive special will follow both the King’s Speech and Julia Donaldson’s The Scarecrow’s Wedding. It will start at 3.35pm on BBC One and is on for an hour, with an end time of 4.35pm.
Don’t worry if you’re too busy eating dinner still or unwrapping presents, as you will also be able to stream Celebrity Gladiators on BBC iPlayer!
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