Sam Thompson has revealed the real reason he signed up for the BBC’s Gladiators Celebrity Special, despite warnings from friends and family that he would be “crushed”.
The Made in Chelsea star is one of four famous faces taking on the iconic BBC gameshow this Christmas, alongside fitness guru Joe Wicks MBE, Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams OBE, and I'm a Celebrity campmate Vogue Williams.
Speaking ahead of the festive special, Mr Thompson admitted the decision came down to pure nostalgia, describing the programme as a “bucket list” moment he couldn’t turn down.
"Who wouldn't want to take part – it’s such an iconic, nostalgic show," he told the BBC.
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Sam Thompson is a contestant in the Gladiators Celebrity Special, scheduled to air on Christmas Day 2025
|BBC
"Celebrity Gladiators is a bucket list item ticked. I used to watch the show when I was a young kid, and I think young Sam would not believe I am doing this, so I am over the moon to be taking part."
However, Mr Thompson revealed his loved ones were far less confident about his chances in the arena.
"All my friends and my family thought I was going to get crushed!" he admitted. "They literally said, ‘Big guy, you're not so big, you're going to get absolutely hammered!’"
Despite the warnings, Mr Thompson said walking out into the Sheffield Arena in front of thousands of cheering fans made the risk worthwhile.
The Made in Chelsea star will take on iconic events such as The Wall, Duel, and the final Eliminator challenge
|BBC
"There are thousands of people in the arena and a lot of them are children – so lots of cheering and screaming which is epic," he said. "It gives you such a powerful adrenaline rush."
Mr Thompson confessed there is one Gladiator in particular he would rather avoid. "Giant. I wouldn't want to face him. I feel like his pecs have pecs."
Mr Wicks, meanwhile, said taking part was a childhood dream inspired by watching Gladiators growing up in the 1990s.
"Gladiators was one of the first times I saw physically strong people on TV and they were role models," he said, adding that he hopes his appearance will inspire children to get active.
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Fitness influencer Joe Wicks will also take on the challenge
|BBC
Mr Wicks went on to gush about his children - his seven-year-old daughter and five-year-old son.
"They are very into their sport, and they're very active," he explained.
"I just think anything that gets kids excited about movement and fitness is really positive.
"Seeing people train hard and stay dedicated is such a good example for them."
Sam Thompson
|BBC/Hungry Bear Media Ltd/Graeme Hunter
Discussing which event he believes will suit him best, the PE teacher added: "I think the one I want to be strongest at is probably The Eliminator, because it's an all-round challenge.
"You need balance, you need upper body strength, you need cardio fitness. A lot of the training I’ve done is high intensity, high heart rate stuff so I think I'll be pretty good at that one."
Meanwhile, Olympic gold medalist Ms Adams declared that she fears no opponent.
"I'm a champion. I'm a fighter. I don't fear anybody!" she said, adding that she was keen to take on "the biggest, the baddest and the toughest Gladiator there is".
Gladiator Celebrity Special 2025 line up with hosts Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh
|BBC/Hungry Bear Media Ltd/Graeme Hunter
Ms Williams, who recently competed in ITV's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, admitted she underestimated just how demanding the competition would be, despite considering herself physically fit.
"When you watch it on TV, you think ‘I could do that’ but it turns out it’s not so easy," she said, revealing she was most nervous about The Wall.
The one-hour celebrity special, hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son, Barney Walsh, will see all four stars face a series of brutal physical challenges before going head-to-head in the iconic Eliminator.