On Christmas Day 2025, BBC One’s Gladiators: Celebrity Special brought festive chaos to screens, with celebrities Joe Wicks, Sam Thompson, Nicola Adams, and Vogue Williams battling the mighty Gladiators in Sheffield’s Utilita Arena. Hosted by the ever-charismatic father-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh, the episode delivered thrills, spills, and one major controversy that has fans divided.
In the end, fitness icon Joe Wicks triumphed in the men’s final against Sam Thompson, while Vogue Williams clinched a shock women’s victory over Olympic boxing legend Nicola Adams – by a mere two-hundredths of a second. But it was the path to Vogue’s win that sparked outrage.
The Nail-Biting Women’s Eliminator: Where It All Went Wrong (or Right?)
The Eliminator is the ultimate test: a brutal obstacle course featuring cargo nets, balance beams, the dreaded Travelator, and a vertical rope climb to a higher platform.
Nicola Adams, with her two-second head start from earlier points, powered ahead, leveraging her elite athletic background. Vogue, who openly struggled throughout, hit a wall at the rope climb. After multiple failed attempts to haul herself up, production intervened – bringing out a ladder to help her reach the platform.
Commentator Guy Mowbray noted live: “She’s getting the ladder out for a bit of help.”
This allowed Vogue to continue and sprint to the finish, edging Nicola in one of the closest races in Gladiators history.
Viewer Outrage: “Unfair” or “Within the Rules”?
The moment ignited immediate backlash. Tabloids like the Daily Star led with “Gladiators fury as Vogue Williams is given ‘extra help’ and skips challenge,” capturing the sentiment of many viewers who felt it undermined the competition – especially against a double Olympic gold medallist.
Social media erupted with accusations of “special treatment” and questions about fairness in a celebrity format.
However, a BBC spokesperson defended the decision: “In the event that a celebrity contender is unable to climb the rope, a ladder is offered in order to assist them reach the platform.”
This confirms it’s a standard rule for celebrity specials, likely to accommodate varying fitness levels, ensure safety, and keep the show entertaining without stalling.
Reactions from the Stars
Vogue Williams, visibly stunned, told the crowd: “I honestly cannot believe it. I’ve had the best day ever. The crowd when I was doing so badly were so nice to me – thank you!”
Nicola Adams remained gracious, joking about her “first silver medal” (she mentioned tweaking her ankle earlier on a zipline challenge).
In the men’s final, Joe Wicks conquered the Travelator he called “much harder in real life,” while Sam Thompson hilariously dubbed himself “El Cockroacho” in defeat.
Is This Fair Play in Celebrity Editions?
Celebrity specials often tweak rules for spectacle – think modified obstacles or accommodations not seen in the main series with everyday contenders. While some fans argue it “cheapens” the win, others praise the inclusive approach that lets celebrities shine (or survive!).
The full episode is streaming now on BBC iPlayer, so you can watch the drama unfold and decide for yourself.
As Gladiators gears up for Series 3 in January 2026, this festive furore reminds us: in the arena, controversy is part of the game. Was Vogue’s ladder a fair assist or a controversial crutch? The debate rages on – sound off in the comments!
What was your favourite moment from the special? Ready… GO!
