FANS are on the edge of their seat, as they get ready for the Gladiators 2024 grand final.
Over the last ten weeks the legendary series, which was rebooted by the BBC, unleashed a brand new batch of gladiators and also welcomed new referees.
Who are the referees on Gladiators?
Fans were thrilled when Gladiators made a triumphant return to TV in January 2024.
After an action packed few months of tricky trials and amazing tests of strength, the show is heading into its grand final (March 30, 2024).
Hosted by father and son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh, the new series brought with it all the classic challenges including fan-favourite The Eliminator.
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The original Gladiators saw John Anderson famously be the referee, and he was best known for his catchphrase, “Contender ready! Gladiator ready!" .
But for the new series, Mark Clattenburg, Sonia Mkoloma, and Lee Phillips were in charge, and they proved to be very popular with fans.
Who is Gladiators referee Mark Clattenburg?
Mark Clattenburg is one of England’s most decorated referees.
He became a Premier League referee in 2004 before becoming a FIFA-listed referee in 2006 – meaning he could take charge of international fixtures.
He oversaw several big games - including the 2012 Men's Olympics final, the 2012 Carabao Cup final, the 2014 European Super Cup as well as the 2016 FA Cup, Champions League and European Championships Finals.
Mark is considered one of the most highly-rated European referees of his generation.
Speaking about being a referee on Gladiators, the legendary ref told The Sun: "It’s amazing. When you look back to when it first started in the 90s, Gladiators was so iconic and wherever you go in the world, people have heard of Gladiators.”
He added: “Growing up, I used to sit and watch every show. John Anderson, the original referee, was so legendary.
“For me, it’s such an honour and such a privilege to be part of Gladiators.
“To be named referee after John Anderson is such an honour.
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Lots of laughs and smiles, good energy amongst the whole group and everyone just got along and for me it felt like a mini family.
Sonia Mkoloma on filming Gladiators
"Even though I’ve refereed some of the biggest games in the world – this is one the most amazing things I will do in my life.”
Who is Gladiators referee Sonia Mkoloma?
Sonia Mkoloma is a former English international netball player and made her debut for the English National Team ‘Vitality Roses’ in 1999.
During her career she has competed at five Netball World Cups and three Commonwealth Games – making an incredible 123 international test appearances.
Sonia now works as the England Netball Assistant Head coach.
Speaking about filming the Gladiators, Sonia told the BBC: "It was fun, everybody on the show and the production team all got along.
"Lots of laughs and smiles, good energy amongst the whole group and everyone just got along and for me it felt like a mini family.
"It's quite similar to Netball where you make connections with people that you just met, everyone’s on the same page has the same goal and mission and it just all aligns."
Who is Gladiators referee Lee Phillips?
Lee is a fitness professional, firefighter and athlete.
After joining the fire service he began competing in firefighter fitness competitions and in 2017 and 2022 competed in the World Police and Firefighter Games in Los Angeles and Rotterdam amongst 10,000 athletes.
He won gold in the Ultimate Firefighter and CrossFit competitions making him 4 times World Champion.
Asked how he felt when he got the call to be a referee in Gladiators, Lee told the BBC: "I was really excited.
"I got involved helping run the fitness tests for try-outs for the Gladiators and contenders, but when I got the call about being an assistant referee I was really excited."
