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Gladiators Butlin's future decided following licensing rights row

Gladiators Butlin's future decided following licensing rights row

The Sun6 days ago
GLADIATORS will not return to holiday camp Butlin's next year following a licensing rights row.
Stars from the hit BBC game show were forced to compete in black tracksuits rather than their usual on-screen costumes when they headlined in March.
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Stages for the Meet the Stars of ­Gladiators experience were also free of the usual logos and branding at the resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness.
A source said: 'Gladiators won't be ­coming back for 2026 and will be replaced by another headliner.
'The licensing row was a headache ­— and bosses have decided that it is best to make room for a new act next summer.
'Fans were excited to see the Gladiators but many were left disappointed to find out they were in black tracksuits for some of the performances.'
Hungry Bear Media, owned by telly host Holly Willoughby's husband Dan Baldwin, makes Gladiators for the BBC, and is said to have agreed the deal with Butlin's.
However it only holds TV rights in the UK while US entertainment giant MGM owns the original format and branding worldwide.
In March, photos of the ­Gladiators were taken off the Butlin's website.
But the stars, who are due to appear at the resorts over the summer holidays and in October, have since reappeared in full costume, including Dynamite.
A Butlin's spokesman said: 'Meet the Stars of Gladiators are performing as scheduled, and we have not dropped them.
'Our contract was a one-year deal and we're looking forward to having them at all three resorts this summer and for October half-term.
"We've got an exciting line-up of new headliners for 2026.'
This holiday park is like Center Parcs, Haven and Butlin's in one
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