BBC Gladiators' Nitro forced to 'quit' show as ex Olympian dealt devastating injury blow
Nitro, one of the most popular of the new Gladiators, has been forced to 'quit' the new series of the hit show and will have to watch his counterparts from the sidelines, having been told he won't be able to play an part.
While he now has a whole new BBC fanbase, thanks to being in the cast for the successful Gladiators reboot, Nitro, real name Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is still best known for being a former Team GB sprinter and Olympian. Many people were shocked to see Harry make the switch from the athletics track to the Gladiators arena last year, before Nitro went onto establish himself as a real fan favourite.
Viewers saw Harry ion screen over the festive period, with him taking part in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special and that now looks like being the last time we'll see Harry compete for a while as; following the first event of Saturday's new series launch, hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh, broke the sad news that Nitro would be unable to be one of the Gladiators this, having suffered a knock in training.
READ MORE: Carol Decker's Masked Singer exit causes ITV uproar as global star 'gutted' to leave show
READ MORE: ‘No plans’ for TikTok ban in UK, Government confirms
Joining Bradley and Barney on set at the Utilita Arena, Nitro explained: "I'm explosive, I'm powerful. Sometimes I'm a little bit too powerful and I end up hurting myself. I've got a bit of a dodgy knee, but these things happen in sport when you pushing yourself as hard as you do."
While he will be taking a back seat from the competitiion side of Gladiators 2025, Nitro assured the show's hosts and viewers at home that 'the pecs weren't going anywhere,' as he called on the packed crowd inside the arena to give him some energy so he could 'reacharge.'
Even before it was revealed that Nitro had been ruled out of the new series, Barney Walsh had already confirmed there would be new Gladiators joining the ranks this year, along with some new events.