Interviews with the comedians taking part in Celebrity Gladiators

Comedians Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett and Ellie Taylor take part in a celebrity  Gladiators special on New Year's Day alongside presenter Louise Minchin.  Here - in interviews conducted before the show –  they talk about what motivated them to take part, their fears for the challenges… and what their Gladiator names would be.

Why did you want to take part in Gladiators?

The kids love it! I was coming up to watch the show with them when I was asked if I’d like to take part and I thought might as well! I am trying to challenge myself a bit more on the things I’m scared of like heights.

 By doing these challenges I feel like it’ll help me get over those fears and it's a good example for my kids as well, to give it a go and show that you’re not scared and you can conquer your own fears.

Which event do you think you'll be the strongest at?

Duel probably. I’m heavier than the other contestants so hopefully I'll be able to hit quite hard, its whether I can take the hits. Maybe Gauntlet too? I just desperately want to get on that travelator and finish The Eliminator.

How did you feel when you first saw the outfit and the arena for the first time?

Well in the arena everything's too big, everything's too high, everything's much scarier than on the telly. 

There's bits like the trapeze, it's freaking me out. On the telly it looks like the easiest bit. 

The most degrading part was they didn't have any shorts that fit so they’ve had to have some especially made for me.

Are there any of the Gladiators you don't want to face?

No, they're all so big and strong. When you see how big they are, you do wonder if maybe they’ll be slow but then their arms just grab you. You might then think oh, there's a little one, I might be able to get around there, but then they're really quick.

Do you have a favourite and a least favourite event?

Least favourite is definitely anything up high. The Eliminator is going to be the most challenging with the cargo net and zipline. Duel as well due to being high up on the podium, I don't mind the actual hitting, but its being up high and having to jump off or get knocked, it's so high!

So something like Powerball might be better because it's on the ground. But then you’ve got a massive bloke trying to tackle you, its just all really hard.

Has anyone given you any tips or advice?

Not really as I don’t know anyone whose done it. Josh Widdicombe has been to watch one of the shows and said to me its absolutely terrifying. 

It's not really advice, but he warned me. I thought he was winding me up, but he was right.

What did your friends and family think when you told them you were going to be a contender?

They laughed. Laughed in my face. The kids were excited, but they laughed. Everyone laughed.

Have you any words for your fellow contenders?

Just good luck. I can't see myself beating Joel, can you? He’s so fast and he’s so good at stuff, but I'm giving it a good bash. I'll try and catch him up on The Eliminator.

What would your Gladiator name be and why?

The Beaver. The teeth, the anger.

Why did you want to take part in Gladiators?

It’s a dream come true. It’s the TV show you watched when you were a kid and it’s such an amazing, iconic studio and course. I just can’t wait to do the travelator at the end because firstly IT’S THE TRAVELATOR and secondly it means its over, it’s the end of the show.

Is there a particular event you think you’ll be quite good at?

I’ve realised since being here that my level of fitness doesn’t really apply to anything that’s in Gladiators. I’m not really that strong, I’m not very good at heights and I’m not very good at fighting so its basically everything I’m bad at.

How did you feel when you walked out into the arena for the first time?

It's unbelievable. You have a few of these moments in your career where you go ‘woah, I’m in the telly!’ This is one of those moments, when you're in the outfit, the Gladiators are in front of you, the course is up and you’re standing there holding the pugil stick.

 It's amazing and I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to do it because it is just amazing.

How’s the reaction been from the crowd?

It’s so cool, it gives such a buzz to the whole thing. The first series was such a success, it’s like getting a ticket for a Taylor Swift concert, people are desperate to be here and it's so wonderful. 

Which Gladiator would you not want to face?

Giant, I mean he's Giant, he's absolutely huge so he's impossible to hit. To be honest all of them are impossible to face, and it's so difficult up close as they're all just incredible

specimens of human beings and it makes you realise how small you are. You're just absolutely tiny. You could fit me and Rob Beckett inside of Giant.

Do you have a favourite and least favourite event?

Powerball is a really fun one because you get to run about and hopefully you can avoid being tackled. It’s on the floor as well, which is good. Anything high up is just a bit scary,

I’m not so good at the high stuff. I’m also excited to do Gauntlet, it looks so much fun but we’ll see how far I get.

Has anyone given you any tips or advice on taking part?

Not really no. The Gladiators keep themselves to themselves. They are very competitive people, so they don't give us any advice, but me and Rob are trying to help each other.

There's a great team behind giving us a few tips and tricks. But I'll be honest, it all just goes completely out the window as soon as you’re up there, it all falls apart.

Do you have any words for Rob?

Rob is an unbelievable contender and a wonderful adversary, he's so powerful. 

You might look at Rob and think, ‘he's not going to be good at this thing’ but he’s unbelievable. He’s got strength in his legs, its like he’s got 10cm long legs and 10cm teeth! His leg strength gives him a good base and he can be just so explosive in the events whereas I’m like a ballerina, exactly the wrong build for power events. 

But if there was an event to see who could run 20km the quickest then I could be in with a chance.

What did your friends and family think when you told them you were taking part?

They were so excited, it has become such an iconic show and to be involved is so mad. It’s funny as other people have done it for their kids, but my son is only 10 months old so I’ve done it eight years too early.

What would Gladiator name be and why?

I'm a bit asthmatic, so I think my Gladiator name would be ‘he Inhaler because I feel like I need one.

Why did you want to take part in Celebrity Gladiators?

Because I love the show! I used to watch it as a kid, and now my little girl is also a big fan. It’s come full circle. 

Also, I had a baby a few months ago and I feel like it’s a great chance to represent new mums who feel a bit wibbly wobbly in every sense of the word. It’s so empowering to feel physically strong and to reclaim my body a bit!

Which event do you think will be your strongest?

I think I might be alright on Duel, because I’m stubborn and I think someone hitting me on the head is just going to really aggravate me and my sheer pig-headedness will mean I’ll be determined not to fall off.

How did you feel walking out into the arena for the first time?

I felt terrified. It lives up to its name - it’s very gladiatorial out there. The crowd are so loud, it’s pretty full on!

Is there a particular Gladiator you do not want to face?

I think all of them are terrifying, so skilled and powerful with the best fake tan I’ve seen since I was in the Strictly ballroom.It’s an honour to be beaten up by these incredible women.

What is you favourite and least favourite event?

I am looking forward to The Eliminator as a personal challenge, like a giant sort of grown- up soft play, plus what an absolute childhood dream it was to get a go on the travelator. 

The thing I'm least looking forward to is Gauntlet. Five women made of pure rage and muscle wielding weapons ready to destroy me? Not the most relaxing day at the office…

Has anyone given you any tips or advice on taking part?

The trainers on set have been amazing so they’ve really helped. I’ve also asked a few of the Gladiators for their top tips which is a bit like a mouse asking a cat what its dinner plans are…

What did you friends and family think when you told them you were taking part?

They all thought I was insane but were really excited. They all have kids so understand it’s not something you can turn down when you have a thrilled five-year-old peer-pressuring you. 

I know my daughter is dying to be able to talk about it all at school. Finally, I might be a cool mum for a day!

Do you have words for your fellow contender Louise Minchin?

I probably shouldn’t say this because I’m meant to be trash talking about them, but it’s been really good fun with everyone really entering into the spirit of it all.

 Louise is such great company and terrifyingly brave, she’ll jump off anything, that woman! I’ve really enjoyed hanging out with her and comparing numbers of blows to the head.

What would your Gladiator name be?

Hernia.

Why did you want to take part in Celebrity Gladiators?

I absolutely love Gladiators from the moment I first watched it way back in the 90’s. I thought it was brilliantly entertaining, funny and terrifying. When I got the call to invite me on the show, it was like a dream come true. 

The reason I wanted to take part in Gladiators is that I really want people who are my age (56) to think they can do fun, crazy and tough things. 

Which event do you think you’ll be the strongest at?

I’m probably going to be best at the events where you don’t need too much strength, like jumping off things or climbing. Heights are fine. Climbing up the wall and the net on The Eliminator should suit me.

Is there a particular Gladiator you wouldn’t want to face?

I wouldn’t want to come up against Fire because she is fierce, she is powerful, and she is strong. She terrifies me, and her whole demeanour, the way she looks with that fire in her eyes, she definitely wants to win and would have no hesitation in taking me down.

How did your friends and family react when you told them you were taking part in Gladiators?

They all laughed out loud. For two reasons. One, that it's totally ridiculous that I should be doing Gladiators at my age. And number two, they absolutely know that it’s my idea of heaven. 

I accept that my idea of fun is not everybody's, but I love taking on an adventure or a challenge that makes me a little bit scared, hopefully getting through it, and then being overwhelmed by the rush of adrenaline afterwards. 

The buzz you get from succeeding in something that is physically challenging is irreplaceable.

Has anyone given you any tips?

I think the best piece of advice is to come here, try hard, and to enjoy it. It's a once in lifetime experience, it's meant to be fun, and hopefully will be.

What would your Gladiator name be and why?

Well, I was thinking of Tortoise because it goes with my approach to all the events, slow with lots of caution. But as my family call me Chaos at home, that’s what they would like my name to be.

• Gladiators Celebrity Special will air on New Years Day at 6pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Published: 30 Dec 2024