Gladiators Butlin's future decided following 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.
Advertisement
3
Gladiators will not return to holiday camp Butlin's next year following a licensing rights row
Credit: BBC
3
Gladiators from left: Comet, Fury, Apollo, Dynamite, Legend, Diamond, Athena, Giant, Apollo, Sabre, Phantom, Viper, Nitro, Bionic, Electro, Fire
Credit: BBC
Stages for the Meet the Stars of Gladiators experience were also free of the usual logos and branding at the resorts in Bognor Regis,
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.'
Advertisement
Read More on Travel
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.
Advertisement
Most read in News Travel
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
3
Gladiator Dynamite on the Butlin's website
Credit: Butlins
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
EastEnders icon facing sack after 40 years amid fan backlash
AN EastEnders legend is facing the sack after 40 years - amid strong backlash from fans. Tracey the Barmaid - played by Jane Slaughter - has BBC soap from the very beginning. 4 Tracey has been an EastEnders staple since the show launched in 1985 Credit: BBC 4 Kat Slater is back behind the bar at the Queen Vic Credit: BBC 4 But there has been talk of personnel changes - and fans aren't happy Credit: BBC Although a background character with rare speaking lines, she has become a beloved fixture in Albert Square. With Kat and Alfie Namely, Kat's nephew Freddie is angling for a job - and said he could be paid half of what Tracey's making. The couple initially weren't sold on letting Tracey go, but seemed to be won around. Read more on EastEnders Over on social media, viewers were far from impressed by thought of Tracey being ousted from the pub. One fan wrote on X: "Like the ravens in the Tower , if Tracey leaves the Vic, Albert Square falls." Another commented: "Why do they do this 'sack Tracey' stuff almost everytime the pub changes owners." A third added: "I see the usual 'let go of Tracey' story when new owners come in has begun." Most read in Soaps While a fourth remarked: "Why is it everytime someone new takes over the Vic they get rid of Tracey??? "Enough already. F**k sakes!!!" EastEnders fans spot hidden tribute to Ozzy Osbourne in latest episode - did you notice it Tracey is also the longest-serving character - the only one to appear from the first episode without leaving. Viewers In an Instagram video shared by EastEnders , actress Jane said: "Tracey has a son. Some of you may remember. Some of you may not know." Meanwhile, fans begged bosses to give Tracey her own storyline in Walford. EastEnders facts and figures THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades. EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Here's the latest on: EastEnders spoilers Where is Inside EastEnders The history of The biggest ever Shocking Albert Square The soap's One wrote: "Tracey has always been lovely. Give her more lines for better yet, her own story. It's the last she deserves! "I also hope she's paid well as the others are! Loyalty should be rewarded." Another added: "She needs a storyline." EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer. 4 Viewers have begged bosses to give Tracey her own storyline Credit: BBC
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Who is Cat Deeley's husband Patrick Kielty and how many children do they have?
THIS Morning star Cat Deeley announced her separation from her husband of over 10 years, Patrick Kielty, on Tuesday July 29. Advertisement Following 6 Patrick and Cat have been married since 2012 Credit: Getty They said in a joint statement to the PA news agency: "We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved. "We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. There will be no further comment." Who is Patrick Kielty? Patrick Kielty is a comedian and television personality from Northern Ireland. Advertisement He was born on January 31, 1971, in Downpatrick, Co Down, Northern Ireland, and grew up in the neighbouring village of Dundrum. He is known for presenting TV and radio shows. Patrick is a veteran of Irish TV also, as he continues to host late night talk show the Late Late Show on RTE. 6 Advertisement When did he marry Cat Deeley? Do they have children? Patrick and his wife They meet in 2002 while joint hosting pop reality show Fame Academy, and over the years of friendship, a The couple married in a private ceremony in Rome on September 30, 2012. The pair have two children, Milo and James. Advertisement 6 They joint hosted pop reality show Fame Academy Credit: BBC What are the details behind the split? For the past two years 6 The couple have been married for over 13 years Credit: Splash Rumours started circling the couples marriage after Cat unfortunately failed to Advertisement The couple explained her absence was purely to continue to be there for their children, conducting school pick ups and drop offs. But there were other It is believed that their marriage was 6 Advertisement When did Patrick Kielty get his big break? Although Patrick had carved a career out for himself in Northern Ireland as a TV personality and stand-up comedian, he shot to wider prominence when he fronted shows like BBC's Fame Academy (2002 to 2003) and ITV's Love Island (2005 to 2006). Since then he has become a well known face on TV and voice on the radio. He has been a guest host on various shows including The One Show and This Morning. Patrick can also be heard on the radio, and has enjoyed stints on high profile stations like Radio 2. Advertisement 6 Advertisement MORE ON CAT Exclusive What happened to Patrick Kielty's dad Jack? When Patrick was just 16 years old, loyalist parliamentarians shot and killed his father. Kielty revealed that during his dad's funeral the IRA approached him to join them. Advertisement In April 2018, Patrick discussed his dad's death on BBC One's My Dad, The Peace Deal And Me, teling how the Good Friday Agreement allowed his father's killers to walk free. Kelly Brook presents Celebrity Love Island in 2005 with Patrick Kielty
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Wynne Evans accuses BBC's Strictly Come Dancing of being ‘fundamentally flawed' in its duty of care
WELSH opera singer Wynne Evans has accused the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing of being "fundamentally flawed in its duty of care". The tenor, 53, known for the insurance advertisements, competed in the 20th anniversary series of the hit dancing programme with professional dancer Advertisement 4 Go Compare singer Wynne Evans claims BBC's Strictly is 'fundamentally flawed in its duty of care' after he was 'dropped' by the corporation Credit: PA 4 Opera singer was 'close to the edge' while battling illness and claims BBC 'twisted facts' Credit: Rex 4 He says he was told not to trust anyone in rehearsal room and BBC engaged in 'lies and cover-ups' to protect themselves Credit: Chris Eades In May, The apology came after the Mail On Sunday reported in January he had aimed a sexual joke at one of the other professional dancers, In an Instagram post with a photo of the Strictly professionals, Evans said: "What it Feels Like to See Pictures of Strictly? "I'll be the first to admit I've made mistakes. Not quite the way the Daily Mail would have you believe, but mistakes all the same." Advertisement Read more on strictly Evans accused the BBC of engaging in a series of "lies and cover-ups in order to absolve themselves of any wrongdoing" and said this was the "hardest part" for him. He added: "From my dealings right at the very top with (BBC director-general) Tim Davie, through BBC Wales and the HR department, one feeling has been constant: the only thing they truly care about is protecting themselves and their jobs and Ratings - people come second. "When I first stepped into the rehearsal room at Strictly, I thought it would be a magical experience. And at the start, it was. But the very first thing I was told was: 'Don't trust anyone in this room - not even me.' "That hit me hard. I've always worn my heart on my sleeve, and while I may sometimes sail close to the line, there's never malice in what I do. Advertisement Most read in News TV "What I wasn't prepared for was the way people will protect their personal and BBC brands, at any cost." Evans claimed in his post that the HR department "twisted facts, invented files and dates, and created a version of events that simply wasn't true". Wynne Evans reveals heartbreaking conversation he had with his daughter after Strictly sacking shame "Statements were issued in my name that I hadn't even seen, let alone agreed to. My voice was taken away," he said. Evans previously said he had never approved of the statement that was issued by the BBC in January in which he apologised for making an "inappropriate and unacceptable" comment. Advertisement At the time, a BBC spokesperson said: "The apology issued on Wynne's behalf by the Strictly Come Dancing Tour PR representative on Saturday January 25 was fully approved by Wynne." Evans also said in his post on Tuesday: "Tim Davie publicly promised that the BBC would safeguard people who took part in Strictly. "I thought about that promise while sitting in a psychiatrist's office near the BBC, staring out of the window at the BBC building, fighting to save my own life. That's how close I came to the edge. "I'm not writing this as a victim, as I said I will own my mistakes. I'm writing it because the system is broken. Advertisement "Strictly is now fundamentally flawed in its duty of care. It's allowed to continue because of ratings, while people's wellbeing is left in tatters." The BBC published a review in 2024 that looked into allegations of bullying and harassment against former Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice, made by his former dance partner Amanda Abbington. The corporation upheld some but not all of the complaints made and introduced a series of new measures aimed at improving welfare. This included the introduction of a chaperone who is present "at all times" during training room rehearsals. Advertisement Evans performed in the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Of The Opera and won 2023's Celebrity MasterChef. In May, he told the Sun that the comment he made on the Strictly Come Dancing tour was not sexual or directed at one of the female cast, but instead was a nickname for fellow contestant, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick. In June, the opera singer announced his return to radio with The The BBC declined to comment on Evans' social media post. Advertisement The Sun has contacted the BBC for comment. 4 Evans said he was dropped by the BBC after apologising for using 'inappropriate language' Credit: Mark Ferguson
