Gladiators New Series Website Host...
Diane as 'Jet' is back! Diane has been involved with filming for the all-new Gladiators Sky website, which goes live in conjunction with the new series that starts in early May.
Diane says "It was amazing seeing the new show come together with all its recognisable events and set. There was also mind blowing new takes on the show with nearly £10 million being spent on the lighting facilities alone, the addition of a pool to add spectacular dimensions to events that we all know and love, plus a new event too.
Meeting the new presenters Kirsty and Ian was a highlight and gaining an insight into the back stage, personal perspectives as such an enormous vehicle came together was something I felt very privileged in having access to. The new Glad's are just fantastic and really well selected by the iconic John Anderson. What is exceptional about them is that they are hungry and as athletes not just well trained but really functional and capable of conquering all the events - important out there as there is little place to hide in a bit of lycra!
I remember how important it felt to capitalise on one or two of the events so you felt you had something to be linked to (ie; a high profile event like Hang Tough or Duel) in terms of being hard to beat. I was in discussions with a few of our new team and spent time reassuring them that during this, the first year it will be a case of cutting one's teeth to ascertain how this would be for each of them.
Even key members of production side and crew have reappeared and it felt almost like old times!'
When asked about how popular the new show will be, Diane says '...it is cult now. We (the original show) aided in creating a bit of a zeitgeist and now it even has members of the audience dressing up as warriors from various times in history as Roman Centurions, Spartans... to help support the coliseum-like atmosphere that pervades the new set. Its popularity will go hand in hand with how the audience relate and make 'favourites' of contenders and Gladiators alike. We must never underestimate the courage of the contender and the journey they and their families/friends take as they start in the heats and work their way to the final.
On the health of the nation, Diane says,During the original series many of the viewers at home shared with me and others how the show inspired them to become more active in their lives. It is on this note and to end this page as an educator in fitness and transformational change, I am thrilled at the thought of yet another generation feeling compelled to get off the sofa and get active. Maybe just maybe they'll even be so bold as to click on and request an application so they too can compete in the arena - and face the Gladiators!