More than three decades since its original launch, the iconic Gladiators is back with a new cast of powerhouses.
Among them is Lee Phillips, the hunky new referee starring in the reboot, who had dreamt of being on the show since childhood.
The TV personality initially worked behind the scenes on Gladiators as a fitness tester before being promoted to an on-screen assistant referee. Lee has branded his new role the ‘coolest job,’ but before bursting onto our screens, he also worked as a firefighter.
The star, who worked for the emergency services in London for 23 years, told BBC Radio Wales why joining Gladiators was a no-brainer.
Lee burst onto our screens as a referee on the popular new BBC reboot of the iconic ’90s show Gladiators
(Image: Instagram/leephillips999)
Lee Phillips is the hunky new Gladiators assistant referee
(Image: BBC / James Stack / © Hungry Bear Media Ltd)
“I was like ‘why not?’ It is a pretty cool thing to do,” he told the broadcaster. The muscle man is no stranger to elite fitness, having competed in CrossFit competitions around the world.
Lee even scooped up the title after participating in the Ultimate Firefighter competition, which saw him tackle tests to prove his strength. And it was great preparation, as he revealed he got to take part in some of the Gladiators games himself during rehearsals.
“I got to do an eliminator. I remember thinking as a kid, ‘I’d love to have a go at that,’ then to actually do it myself was pretty cool,” he said.
Lee worked for the emergency services in London for 23 years
(Image: Instagram/leephillips999)
Now Lee Phillips is calling the shots on Gladiators
(Image: Instagram/leephillips999)
The former firefighter added, “We didn’t have phones and social media to distract us, so everyone sort of got round the TV and watched it. I think it’s stayed true to the original.
“There are people now who grew up watching that show as kids who’ve now got kids themselves… so it’s sort of excitement across the whole family, I think.”
Fitness model Lee is also a qualified personal trainer who has posed for 29 Men’s Health Magazine covers.
Speaking about landing his dream role on the show, he added: “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.”
Fitness model Lee is also a qualified personal trainer who has posed for 29 Men’s Health Magazine covers
(Image: Instagram/leephillips999)
The muscle man is no stranger to elite fitness, having competed in CrossFit competitions around the world
(Image: Instagram/leephillips999)
It comes as viewers said they were left feeling ‘emotional’ and nostalgic after watching the new series of the reboot.
The iconic 90s programme, which sees contenders go up against bodybuilders in challenges, aired once again 32 years after its debut on Saturday, January 13
The show was originally hosted by Ulrika Jonsson and footballer John Fashanu, with the new version now presented by Chase star Bradley Walsh and his son, Barney Walsh.
Those who grew up watching Gladiators as kids were quick to take to social media to talk about how ‘emotional’ it was to watch it again as adults decades later.
One person posted a picture of them watching the show on X, formally known as Twitter, with the caption: “Watched this as a tiny, now watching with my own tiny people. I genuinely feel quite emotional #Gladiators.”
Another person wrote: “This is a great big hug to my child self. I’m unashamedly loving #Gladiators.” While a third nostalgic viewer posted a meme that said: “I just can’t believe it’s not the 90s anymore.” Another added: “Watching #Gladiators purely because my parents wouldn’t let me when I was a kid.”
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