BBC kicked off the new Gladiators reboot at the weekend, seeing County Durham’s very own Apollo (Alex Gray) take on the contenders in The Ring and Gauntlet.
He was joined by Middlesbrough’s Bionic (Matty Campbell) but they are not the only North East stars taking part in the iconic gameshow.
One of the referees who made his Gladiators debut on Saturday (January 13) was Mark Clattenburg from Consett in County Durham.
He has described the experience as “one of the best things I've ever done in my life,” but who is he? Take a look at his achievements.
Who are the BBC Gladiators referees?
Mark joins Sonia Mkoloma and Lee Phillips as the trio of referees on the new series of Gladiators.
Mark is one of England’s “most decorated” referees who became a Premier League referee in 2004 before becoming a FIFA-listed referee in 2006 – meaning he could take charge of international fixtures.
The 48-year-old oversaw several big games - including the 2012 Men's Olympics final, the 2012 Carabao Cup final and the 2014 European Super Cup.
He also managed the 2016 FA Cup, Champions League and European Championships Finals.
Mark is considered one of the “most highly-rated” European referees of his generation.
Speaking about how his televised sporting career helped him “control” the Gladiators, he explained: “The management and communication skills that I gained as a football referee definitely helped in Gladiators.
“So when I was doing the interviews with Hungry Bear and BBC these were the elements that I was homing in on, because that was my strongest skill set.
“You're not just refereeing Gladiators and Contenders you're making a TV show as well, so the communication side of that and explaining a decision for the audience, is also key.”
The professional referee said getting the call for his role on Gladiators was “quite exciting.”
He continued: “When I watched the show back in the 90s everyone knew who the referee was, John Anderson and to get the call to say I was going to be the new referee on Gladiators was such an amazing thing and probably one of the best things I've ever done in my life.”
Mark said if he was a Gladiator, his chosen name would be Explosion, adding: “I can be quite an explosive character and when I was a football ref I was quite explosive so I’d probably be Explosion and try to be as fast as possible and get the contenders out as quick as possible.”
Recommended reading:
- Who is Apollo on BBC Gladiators? Meet Alex Gray from County Durham
- Meet BBC Gladiators star Bionic - who is Matty Campbell from Middlesbrough?
What time is Gladiators on BBC?
Gladiators next airs on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday, January 21 from 5.50pm.
The summary for the second episode on Radio Times reads: “The contenders must take on the Gladiators in a brand new terrifying event, The Edge, which requires them to cross a giant lattice, suspended high above the arena.
“Facing them is one angry Gladiator determined to send them hurtling towards the floor 30 feet below.
“Bradley and Barney Walsh oversee the action.”
You can catch up on the first episode of Gladiators on the BBC iPlayer now.
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