Meet the Gladiators hunk who will rival iconic villain Wolf in new BBC reboot
THE Gladiators reboot is playing up to its Nineties heyday by introducing the show’s very own baddie – a slippery character named Viper.
I can reveal the James Bond gangster, real name Quang Luong, will be the modern day version of Wolf, the show’s original villain and scourge of legendary referee John Anderson, so memorably brought to life by Michael van Wijk.
He’s one of four new Gladiators revealed on Tuesday that complete the line-up, alongside Bionic, Electro, Phantom.
A show insider says: “Viper is one to watch, he’ll whip up the crowd just like Wolf and will play up to his bad guy persona.
“He oozes personally, as well as muscles, and will be an intimidating prospect for the contenders.
“You really don’t want to mess with him.”
Quang starred in 007 movie Die Another Day alongside Pierce Brosnan, playing a villainous character.
He’s also a fitness model as well as a bodybuilder and although he’s a man of few words, he intends to smash any opponent that stands in his way.
He says: “I am strong, powerful and just like a Viper I can attack with speed.”
Bionic is another bodybuilder, Matty Campbell, who stands at 6ft 6ins tall who was a promising footballer until a car crash ended his career, but introduced him to the gym.
Former GB bobsledder Toby Olubi is super quick and strong, which is why the Gladiator name Phantom suits him perfectly.
And Jade Packer aka Electro, is another speed demon and CrossFit champion, who’s bound to create a spark when she’s unleashed inside the Sheffield Arena.
Filming for the BBC1 series gets underway this week.
Eleven episodes have been commissioned and fans of the original will be pleased to know many of the classic games, including the dreaded travelator, are back, alongside some new challenges.
Bradley Walsh and his son Barney will host.
Don’t be surprised if the pair give Viper a wide berth.
Merton has a camper plan
PAUL MERTON is celebrating the renewal of his motorhome series – by renting out a campervan.
The funnyman had never stayed in one before he started making his Channel 5 show.
But after shooting two series he’s planning more trips with wife and co-star Suki Webster.
Paul told me: “Suki and I don’t currently have our own motorhome but we’re seriously thinking of renting.
“The thing with the motorhome has encouraged me to have more holidays here rather than going abroad.
“If you were to spend £100,000 on a vehicle, you would feel obliged to do it all the time.”
The couple will be filming another series of Motorhoming With Merton And Webster “later this year”.
And he’s praised the show for seeing him in a different light to his persona on long-running BBC One panel show Have I Got News For You.
He adds: “Because on that I play an attitude, which is basically ‘Why are you asking me these questions?’.”
As he’s been on the show for 33 years, it’s clearly working for him.
REALITY series Loaded In Paradise is returning for a second instalment.
The ten-parter – the first reality show to air on ITVX – was a hit with younger viewers, making its renewal a formality.
Season two will still be set in Greece but with a new route and a fresh set of luxurious locations.
Startup fires up
A NEW entrepreneurial show is taking on Dragons’ Den and The Apprentice.
Ready Set StartUp is available on Prime Video and follows ten contestants competing to bag a life-changing £100,000.
Mentors on the six-parter include Bafta-winning game developer Roberta Lucca, while Monzo bank’s Tom Blomfield is one of the judges.
Show host Simon Atkins says: “This is a hugely exciting series that highlights the steps and challenges required to launch a startup business.
“It offers these ambitious young entrepreneurs the tools and guidance to make their businesses a thriving success.”
I Kissed A Boy, again
THE I Kissed A Boy lads can’t get enough of each other.
And they will be back together in a special reunion show of TV’s first ever gay dating series, which will air on June 11 on BBC Three after the final hits screens this weekend.
In it, the lads will be giving host Dannii Minogue all the gossip from their time in the Italian villa. A TV insider says: “BBC bosses are happy with the series and feel a reunion show will cap off its debut run perfectly.
“It promises to be pretty outrageous, so viewers should be prepared for some revelations.”
I Kissed A Boy follows ten single guys who are matched up with each other.
Upon meeting for the first time – and without even speaking beforehand – they share a kiss to test their natural chemistry.
The main series airs on iPlayer and BBC One as well as BBC Three.
FORMER Corrie star Helen Flanagan has hit back at an online mum-shamer who told her she should spend more time with her kids instead of on a girls’ holiday.
She replied: “I’ve never been on holiday like that before. I’ve always stayed home looking after the kids. Why is everything always on women?”
Beeb fix up new repairs
THE Repair Shop is opening its doors once again.
The BBC1 favourite is back with four new episodes, including two specials marking the 75th anniversaries of the Empire Windrush’s arrival in the UK from the Caribbean and the birth of the NHS.
Jay Blades will once again host a team of crafters restoring more beloved items.
He says: “We cannot wait to share these four new peak episodes with you. We were honoured to welcome poet Simon Armitage to the barn, and our specials for Windrush and the NHS are also incredible.
“Meeting Patrick Vernon, who has done so much to commemorate an important part of black British history, has been a personal high.”
The Repair Shop returns to BBC1 and iPlayer next Wednesday at 8pm.