‘Gladiators changed my life’, say 2024 finalists

As families across the UK prepare themselves for the return of hit teatime game show Gladiators, former finalists Wesley Maley and Bronte Jones say their appearance on the action-packed competition has been a life-changing experience.

When the opening bars of Gladiators’ hard rock theme tune announce the start of series two, you can forgive Wesley for being a little weary.

“My mates still play the theme song every time I walk into the room,” the 37-year-old, who combines his civil service job with professional wrestling at the weekends, said with a laugh.

“You know what? Sometimes it’s annoying, but then I always think about the first time I heard it when I was on the show. I was just a back-up contestant at the time. And it gave me goosebumps.

“I remember thinking, ‘This is one of the best moments I’ve ever had’ – and this was before I was even a proper contestant.”

Promoted to the front row after another competitor suffered injury, Wesley, who is originally from Sheffield but now lives near Huddersfield, went through the heats to reach the final of the 2024 season.

He said he hoped appearing on the show could lead to more opportunities on the wrestling circuit, but he was stunned by how quickly his diary filled up.

“After those two or so weeks I felt incredible and on cloud nine.

“Before the show aired, I didn’t want to deny it, but I emailed some promoters saying I could be on TV soon if they wanted to book me in advance.

“There was barely any interest and then, as soon as it aired, everyone wanted to book me.

“I got two weekends off last year – one because I was injured and the other for my brother’s 40th birthday.”

Bronte, who is 25 and from Sheffield, grew up gladiators Superfan, despite being born shortly before the show’s original run on ITV ended in 2000.

“Growing up, my sister and I would watch reruns of ’90s shows with our parents, and then we’d go out and recreate some games,” he said.

“When they brought it back and said it would be filmed in Sheffield, it felt like it was made just for me.

“I’m not going to lie, I’m a pretty competitive person. If I do something, I want to win.”

“But if you had told me in advance that I would have reached the finals, I would never have expected it.”

Like Wesley, Bronte, a firefighter with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, has kept her day job.

But, apart from work, she continues to compete in physical challenges and finished third at the British Weightlifting Championships in December.

Both Brontë and Wesley have described the experience of being publicly recognized over the past year as surreal.

“Sheffield is wonderful for the whole community atmosphere,” says Brontë.

“I’ll just be in Meadowhall or Asda, and someone will come up to me and say ‘Are you Bronte from Gladiators?’ This is crazy, I thought it would have stopped by now.”

Meanwhile, Wesley has attracted a nationwide band of young followers, many of whom ask him for his autograph after wrestling matches.

“I’m surprised anyone would be bothered about contestants,” he admits.

“I thought they were just worried about gladiators.

“But I’ve had kids come up who want to come wrestle and they know my stats from all the shows — it’s crazy.”

Both finalists have separately set up their own personal training and consulting businesses, which they operate outside of their day jobs.

While much of it is devoted to nutrition and exercise guidance, a significant part of it is building clients’ confidence and helping them with their mindset.

“This experience was eye-opening for me and I realized how much fitness has changed my life,” Wesley said. “I was a shy kid from Sheffield who wouldn’t say boo to a ghost. Now here I am running around in lycra and talking to guests.

“If I can get other people out of their box, that would be great.”

Both said they would enthusiastically watch the second series, while Brontë, who went to watch the new season being filmed last year, said being in the audience had been interesting as it gave her a new perspective on the show.

“It was very different and it was really cool to see the other side of it,” he said.

“When you’re a competitor they only bring you out for your part (for filming), so it was cool to be in the crowd and see it all as the day went on.”

And his final words of advice for this year’s competitors?

“Enjoy it! Just go out and have a good time.”

The new series of Gladiators starts on Saturday at 17:50 GMT on BBC One.

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