John Fashanu launches bid to bring back Gladiators with Ulrika Jonsson as co-host
JOHN Fashanu has launched a bid to bring back Gladiators — and wants to return with co-host Ulrika Jonsson.
The series was massive in the Nineties, attracting audiences of up to 14million at its peak.
And the former Wimbledon footballer believes a new generation of fitness-obsessed youngsters would lap up a modern day version of the sports-based game show with a whole new set of Gladiators.
In an exclusive chat, he said: “The health and well-being market is played out all over Instagram, with fit men and women pushing us to believe in ourselves and be kind to our minds and bodies.
“So there is the next generation of Gladiators right there ready to inspire us — and a new audience ready to absorb it.
“I think it would be a hit — TV bosses are missing a trick.”
The series ran from 1992 to 2000 on ITV before briefly returning on Sky One in 2008 for two years.
Fash had two spells hosting the series with Ulrika, with England rugby star Jeremy Guscott replacing him briefly for two series in 1997.
The combat show created household names of that era including Diane Youdale as Jet, James Crossley as Hunter — who briefly dated Ulrika — and the legendary Wolf, aka Michael Van Wijk.
Mark Smith, known to millions as Rhino, has backed Fash’s campaign.
And the former bodybuilder, who is starring in forthcoming Netflix movie thriller The Harder They Fall alongside Idris Elba, remains in such great shape he could still compete himself.
He said: “Gladiators appeals to all ages and is the ultimate combat show.
“Nothing on TV has come close to replacing it.
“The show should definitely come back. I’d love to return too.”
I’m sold.
READ ON FOR MORE OF ANDY HALLS' BIZARRE COLUMN
Rob & Rom swan around
ROMESH Ranganathan is easy to pick out in this unlikely stage line-up – but the chances are you won’t recognise his fellow comic Rob Beckett standing on the far left.
Unlike his bearded co-star, the fresh-faced funnyman had to wear stick-on face fuzz as the pair joined the cast of Swan Lake.
The results can be seen tomorrow on Sky One’s Rob And Romesh Vs, a comedy documentary show that is returning for a second run.
In the first episode, the lads are on a mission to explore ballet.
So the duo were given behind-the-scenes access at the Birmingham Royal Ballet Company.
They even met the company’s creative director Carlos Acosta, who is one of the greatest dancers of his generation.
But I’m not sure his casting skills would be up to much if he hired these two.
Moff's a believer
SCARLETT Moffatt is releasing a new Radio 1 podcast in which she explores one of her favourite topics – conspiracy theories.
She will be pondering everything from alien autopsies to lizard overlords alongside her boyfriend Scott Dobinson, who is a confirmed cynic.
It is called Scarlett Moffatt Wants To Believe.
A different theory will be probed every Monday from May 11 on BBC Sounds, but there is also a little teaser available today.
Scarlett said: “I’m obsessed with conspiracies.
“I’m in my element on this podcast as we cover everything from aliens to the Illuminati to mermaids.
“My boyfriend Scott is a non-believer so there’s some fun arguments – sorry, debates.”
The couple have been dating since the start of 2019 and now live together.
Scarlett is the latest in a line of stars who have enlisted partners and family to help them produce shows in lockdown.
bizbit
WATFORD footballer Troy Deeney will this week join Stephen Fry for the Celebrity Book Club on BBC Bitesize Daily.
It is available through BBC iPlayer and has invited famous faces to read for youngsters during lockdown.
Tales of Tom for VE Day
COLONEL Tom Moore has yet another thing to celebrate following a grateful nation’s congratulations on his 100th birthday last week.
The World War Two veteran and super-fundraiser is to be honoured with his own documentary, as part of BBC1’s coverage during commemorations of the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
The story of Colonel Moore’s life will cover his childhood, through his years in the Armed Forces and right up to today, when he helped rake in a staggering £32million for the NHS by walking laps of his garden.
It will form part of the coverage, called VE Day 75: The Announcement Of Victory, which is being screened on Friday from 2.45pm.
The day looks back at the end of fighting in Europe in 1945.
And in another move illustrating how special the man is, the Beeb has enlisted movie star Tom Hardy to provide the voiceover for the documentary.
It will be a fitting tribute and richly deserved.
Charlotte's Lockdown Laughs
FROM loo roll challenges to turning ironing boards into DJ decks, there has been some crazy footage popping up online lately.
Now Charlotte Crosby is bringing it together in one MTV show called Lockdown Laughs, which starts next Monday on MTV.
The former Geordie Shore star and Celebrity Big Brother winner will front six episodes from where she is self-isolating.
Charlotte will also be roping in some celebrity pals to carry out their own challenges via video link.
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must watch
WHAT? Isolation Stories, ITV, 9pm.
WHY? Sheridan Smith stars in the first of four short dramas curated by Jeff Pope. Each features a different actor filming from their homes during the lockdown.
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