Broadcaster Louise Minchin , TV presenter Joel Dommett, comedian Rob Beckett and actress Ellie Taylor are gearing up for a celebrity special of Gladiators . The quartet of stars will be put through their paces as they face off against the "superhuman" Gladiators in a series of gruelling challenges. Their mettle will be further tested as they compete against each other in the punishing obstacle course known as the Eliminator.
Former BBC Breakfast host and accomplished triathlete Minchin expressed her excitement about participating in the show, which she has watched for years and described as "terrifying fun". The 55-year-old took up endurance sports after taking part in a festive cycling challenge for the BBC in 2012 and has since represented the GB triathlon team internationally in her age group. Comedian and host of Survivor and Masked Singer, Dommett, confessed that it had always been his dream to tackle the show's infamous travelator.
"I've been illegally running up escalators backwards all my life in preparation and now it's happening for real," he quipped. "Super excited to be up against all my favourite muscley people in leotards and have some fun." Earlier this year, he completed the London Marathon donned in the Piranha costume from The Masked Singer, weighing around 8kg, to raise funds for the charity Shooting Star Children's Hospices.
Ted Lasso and ex-Strictly contestant Taylor revealed her decision to join the show, saying: "What's the most elaborate thing you'd do.