Celebrity Gladiators: Tony Bellew And Chelcee Grimes Favourites To Take Part

Gladiators made a triumphant return to our screens this year after 24 years away, and a celebrity version has now been confirmed. 

That has set tongues wagging in celebrity circles about who might take part, and there are some interesting prices on UK betting sites. 

Gladiators was housed on ITV in its initial run in the 1990s, but the show's most-recent return aired on the BBC, who revealed the comeback episode was the corporation's biggest launch for a new entertainment series in seven years. 

Earlier this month, Dan Baldwin, who is the husband of Holly Willoughby and executive producer and managing director of Hungry Bear Media, confirmed there will be a Celebrity Gladiators hitting our screens at some point, following a "phenomenal response" to Gladiators. 

He said on BBC Radio 4: "I can reveal we are going to do a celebrity special. You always look at old shows that are no longer on television. 

"You are always coming up with new ways of bringing back a show. It's no exaggeration to say that the response to Gladiators has been phenomenal."

A second series of Gladiators has also been confirmed, but for now all eyes are on which stars might sign up for the celebrity special. 

The Bomber Vs The Gladiators 

Last year's I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! series was memorable for a bromance between retired boxer Tony 'The Bomber' Bellew, who finished second, and ex-Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson, who won the series. 

While Tony overcame creepy crawlies and managed to stay calm when Sam, who he once jokingly compared to his kids, was often fanboying over him, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if the fighter turned his attention to the Gladiators next. 

He is 4/6 favourite on specials betting sites to be one of the male contenders to sign up for a star-studded Gladiators special. 

Should Tony join the show, he could well go all the way, but he might have the likes of fellow former pro boxer Ricky Hatton (2/1) to compete against. 

While a timescale for Celebrity Gladiators is yet to be confirmed, one man who always seems to have time for a workout is Joe 'The Body Coach' Wicks. 

The fitness guru - who inspired people to get moving through the COVID-19 lockdown thanks to his online workouts - is Evens to take part, and while he doesn't tend to do much reality TV, this could tickle his fancy, especially if there is a charity aspect involved. 

What's more, one star who has proved his worth in a reality sports game show already is former Love Islander Wes Nelson (6/4), who was the overall winner of ITV's revival of The Games, which was co-hosted by Holly and Freddie Flintoff. 

Should Wes fancy a go at another competitive reality show then Celebrity Gladiators might be right up his street.

Chelcee Odds-On 

While Wes won The Games, singer and footballer Chelcee Grimes took gold in the women's category, and she may also fancy a crack at taking on the Gladiators. 

Chelcee is just 8/11 favourite on betting apps to be one of the female contenders in the star-studded show, while fellow former footballer Jill Scott is Evens.

Other fitness fans who could give the show a go include personal trainer Chloe Madeley (6/4) - the daughter of former This Morning co-hosts Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan - and actress and former model Gemma Atkinson (2/1).

What's more, former Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins pair, model Danielle Lloyd (4/1) and retired track and field athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton (3/1), both went deep into the jungle, and the contest, on the Channel 4 show. 

They would no doubt find Gladiators a lot easier than Celebrity SAS without an elite team of ex-Special Forces operators bellowing at them every 10 minutes, so they might be tempted to sign up. 

Hancock Back For More Reality? 

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock also took part in the latest Celebrity SAS series and went deep into the competition.

The politician went far in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, too, finishing third in the 2022 series, and he is now 10/1 on new betting sites to be one of the male contenders in Celebrity Gladiators, while fellow politician Nigel Farage - who took part in the ITV jungle-based show last year - is 12/1. 

Others tipped to give Celebrity Gladiators a go include former jockey and I'm A Celebrity star Frankie Dettori (5/2), Matt's Celebrity SAS co-star Jermaine Pennant (3/1), and former Love Island pair Ovie Soko (4/1) and 5/1 chance Anton Danyluk. 

Ex-Love Islanders could also be among the candidates when bosses are picking the female contenders, with Gabby Allen (5/1), and Ekin-Su Culculoglu (7/1) both possibilities, as is TV presenter and fitness fan Davina McCall (10/1). 

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.