Gladiators (1992 British TV series, series 5)

The fifth series of Gladiators (subtitled Gladiators: The Challenge) aired in the UK from 28 September 1996 to 11 January 1997.

Gladiators
Season 5
StarringUlrika Jonsson
John Fashanu
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes16
Release
Original networkITV
Original release28 September 1996 (1996-09-28) –
11 January 1997 (1997-01-11)
Series chronology

Gladiators
Gladiator name Portrayed by
Ace Warren Furman
Cobra Michael Willson
Falcon Bernadette Hunt
Hunter James Crossley
Laser Tina Andrew
Lightning Kim Betts
Nightshade Judy Simpson
Panther Helen O'Reilly
Rebel Jennifer Stoute
Rhino Mark Smith
Rio Jane Omorogbe
Saracen Mike Lewis
Trojan Mark Griffin
Vogue Suzanne Cox
Warrior Michael Ahearne
Wolf Michael Van Wijk
Zodiac Kate Staples

There were a number of changes to the Gladiator line up this season. Raider (Carlton Headley) was dropped after one season. Whilst no explanation was given for his axing, he had been the first Gladiator to receive a red card (and one episode suspension and fine) in the previous series. Jet (Diane Youdale) retired following an injury on Pyramid during live shows played at Wembley during Easter 1996. Amazon (Sharron Davies) had intended to compete and was included in promotional photographs for the series but left prior to rehearsals due to issues surrounding a knee injury she had picked up in Pyramid the prior year.

Three new Gladiators were recruited for the 1996 series with all of them appearing in the Wembley live shows prior to the televised series; Ace (Warren Furman), Rio (Jane Omorogbe) and Rebel (Olympian Jennifer Stoute).

Zodiac (Kate Staples) suffered a serious neck injury in training for Pole-Axe and would only appear twice, in the non-combative event Danger Zone. Nightshade (Judy Simpson) was suffering from a respiratory virus she had picked up during the first Ashes series in 1995 and only appeared in a few episodes before having to retire. Due to Zodiac and Nightshade being unavailable, a fourth new Gladiator, Laser (Tina Andrew) was quickly recruited.

Events

There were numerous changes to the event line-up. Having proved unpopular with the Gladiators and only appearing once in the previous series, Tilt and Joust did not return. Pyramid was axed following the injury to Jet during the Wembley live shows (and injuries to Rhino and Amazon the previous year).

One new event, Sumo Ball was added to the event line-up following roadtesting at the Wembley shows, bringing the event pool to 16. Tightrope was intended to be a new event but would ultimately not appear until the following series. However, in addition to Zodiac's injury, contender Nikki Claxton was seriously injured after a fall on Pole-Axe in training, thus leading to that event’s axing, bringing down the event roster to 15. The reduced event pool saw some long-standing events such as Swingshot and Skytrak have a significant increase in usage.

An additional obstacle was added to The Eliminator replacing the second low hurdle, entitled Spaghetti Junction, a web of elasticated wires that contenders had to pull themselves through which was ultimately dropped after one season.

A slight amendment to the rules of Suspension Bridge saw pushing and shoving disallowed again. The contenders’ head start on The Wall was increased to 10 seconds again. The Whiplash ring was also changed with the carpet (which had caused Gladiators to trip up and lose) replaced by a more sturdier flooring in different colouring. A change to the rules of Pendulum meant that the participants had to start moving on the whistle, to stop them from remaining in place.

Sumo Ball

This event was original to the UK franchise. Contender and Gladiator stood on a large circular platform, over which a large red ball hangs from the ceiling. The participants had 30 seconds to push their opponent off the platform using the 75kg ball. Contenders scored 10 points for knocking the Gladiator off and 5 for staying on for the full thirty seconds.

Prizes

For this series, the champions each received a new car, while the runners-up each received a a South African holiday at Sun City. Regardless of the outcome, all finalists split £4,000 between them.

Other changes

The most notable change in the series was the introduction of a North vs. South challenge which took place during the series, with contenders being divided into an even number from the North and South of the UK. The Gladiators logo in the opening titles was updated and the series was subtitled Gladiators: The Challenge. series 3 and International Gladiators 1 champion Eunice Huthart served as the Northern team coach and series 2 champion Phil Norman as the Southern team coach.

A new competition was introduced for the fastest time on the Eliminator which was won by female runner-up Sarah Damm (time of 1 minute 10.2 seconds) and male champion Mark Mottram (time of 59.2 seconds). Both winners won £1,000.

A series of 'Time Out' segments filmed at the Gladiators’ winter training camp in Coco Beach, Mauritius were shown between events. Contender and Gladiators stats were now displayed in metric measurements rather than imperial.

The music used to introduce the male Gladiators on Powerball was changed to the Gladiators cast recording of "The Boys Are Back in Town" which was released as a single later that year.

Episodes
EpisodeTitleOriginal airdate
1"Northern Heat 1"28 September 1996 (1996-09-28)[1]
2"Northern Heat 2"5 October 1996 (1996-10-05)[2]
3"Northern Heat 3"12 October 1996 (1996-10-12)[3]
4"Northern Heat 4"19 October 1996 (1996-10-19)[4]
5"Northern Semi-final 1"26 October 1996 (1996-10-26)[5]
6"Northern Semi-final 2"2 November 1996 (1996-11-02)[6]
7"Northern Grand Final"9 November 1996 (1996-11-09)[7]
8"Southern Heat 1"16 November 1996 (1996-11-16)[8]
9"Southern Heat 2"23 November 1996 (1996-11-23)[9]
10"Southern Heat 3"30 November 1996 (1996-11-30)[10]
11"Southern Heat 4"7 December 1996 (1996-12-07)[11]
12"Southern Semi-final 1"14 December 1996 (1996-12-14)[12]
13"Southern Semi-final 2"21 December 1996 (1996-12-21)[13]
14"Southern Grand Final"28 December 1996 (1996-12-28)[14]
15"North vs. South"4 January 1997 (1997-01-04)[15]
16"Sport Celebrity Challenge"11 January 1997 (1997-01-11)[16]

References
  1. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0001)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  2. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0002)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  3. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0003)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  4. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0004)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  5. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0005)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  6. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0006)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  7. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0007)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  8. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0008)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  9. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0009)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  10. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0010)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  11. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0011)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  12. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0012)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  13. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0013)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  14. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0014)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  15. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0015)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  16. "GLADIATORS (SHOW 16 - CELEBRITY)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
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