Gladiators (1992 British TV series) series 3

Gladiators
Season 3
Starring	Ulrika Jonsson John Fashanu John Anderson John Sachs
No. of episodes	18
Release
Original network	ITV
Original release	3 September (1994-09-03) – 31 December 1994 (1994-12-31)
Series chronology

The third series of Gladiators aired in the UK from 3 September to 31 December 1994.

Gladiators

Gladiator name	Portrayed by
Cobra	Michael Willson
Falcon	Bernadette Hunt
Hunter	James Crossley
Jet	Diane Youdale
Lightning	Kim Betts
Nightshade	Judy Simpson
Panther	Helen O'Reilly
Saracen	Mike Lewis
Scorpio	Nikki Diamond
Shadow	Jefferson King
Trojan	Mark Griffin
Warrior	Michael Ahearne
Wolf	Michael Van Wijk
Zodiac	Kate Staples

This was the only series of Gladiators in which there were no changes to the Gladiator line-up. As such there were no changes to the opening credits and, despite the series’ popularity, there were no new photoshoots for promotional materials, with the photography from the 1993 series re-used for the programmes and merchandise.

Events

Events were cut from six to five (plus the Eliminator) per episode. This reduction coupled with the increased event pool meant that several events appeared sparingly throughout the series, in particular many of the events introduced the previous series.

Gauntlet received a significant change, having a 30-second time limit to pass through five Gladiators in a much narrower gauntlet (as opposed to passing through three as quickly as possible). Reaching the end within 20 seconds scored 10 points and within 30 seconds, 5 points. Power pads were utilised for the two additional Gladiators and all participants wore chest guards. The same chest guards would be worn in Danger Zone from this series onwards.

The Atlaspheres used from this season onwards were lighter and moved quicker across the arena floor (often referred to as “turbo charged”) with the contenders’ Atlaspheres coloured yellow and blue (rather than yellow and red as previous). Due to it being used as part of Hit & Run, the Suspension Bridge apparatus had ends added onto it - primarily to stop the contenders running off the end when the bridge was used for Hit & Run. Additionally, on Suspension Bridge, contenders and Gladiators started from opposite ends compared to the previous series. A minor amendment to the rules of Swingshot allowed contenders to now grab as many balls as they could in one jump.

Four new events were introduced in this series. Unlike previous series, the new events were gradually introduced throughout the series with this being the only series in which no new events debuted in the first televised heat (despite all being featured in the opening preview episode).

Pyramid

Contenders and Gladiators faced one another on a giant pyramid with the Gladiators at the top and contenders at the bottom. Contenders had 60 seconds to reach the top of the pyramid with the Gladiators trying to prevent them by grappling or pushing and rolling them down. The first contender to the top received 10 points with the second receiving 5. This event was taken from the American series and despite this being the most popular of the new events and frequently appearing in series 4, the event would later be axed twice during the show’s run.

Hit & Run

Contenders had to run across the suspension bridge as many times as possible in 30 seconds, scoring 2 points per successful crossing. Four Gladiators stood on two podiums either side of the bridge, each swinging a demolition ball and attempting to knock the contender off. This event initially appeared in the 1994 Wembley live shows under the name Cannonball Run. It did not prove popular, appearing sparingly in later series. It was the only new event introduced in 1994 that did not get axed and became one of the most frequently-played events in the American and British revivals.

Pursuit

Contenders raced against each other across an obstacle course with Gladiators chasing them after a three second headstart. The obstacle course consisted of a balance beam, wire bridge, hand ladder, web trap, low wall, web trap, high wall and sprint finish. 10 points were awarded for the first contender to pass the finish, 5 points for second with no points awarded if a contender was tagged.

Pole-Axe

Contender and Gladiator had to climb a 36-foot pole, hitting a button at the top which would retract the climbing pegs of their opponent’s pole, causing them to fall to a six-foot crash mat below. 10 points were awarded should the contender achieve this. Due to the amount of time it took to set up, Pole-Axe would be set up and played live as the first event (before the initial contender interviews) though would often be shown out of sync in televised shows. Pole-Axe had the latest debut of any new event and was axed a couple of series later.

Other changes

Andrew Norgate was replaced as timekeeper by Derek Redmond, whose wife Sharron Davies presented the junior spin-off series Gladiators: Train 2 Win before being asked to audition as a Gladiator the following year. The contenders’ outfits for the heats were different from the pink/yellow (women) and red/blue (men) pieces used for the majority of the show. The female contenders wore peach and lilac outfits with the male contenders wearing simple red and blue vests with black shorts. From the quarter-finals onwards, the contender outfits reverted to the familiar pink/yellow and red/blue colours.

Finally, between the women's and men's Eliminator, a Time Out section was added in which various Gladiators discussed their favourite events, pastimes and music.

Episodes

Episode	Title	Original airdate
1	"The Return"	3 September 1994 (1994-09-03)
2	"Heat 1: Claire Hillman vs. Erika Rogerson / Gladstone Mackenzie vs. Dean Pollen"	10 September 1994 (1994-09-10)
Event 1 - Powerball Panther, Scorpio, Zodiac / Hunter, Shadow, Warrior Claire 10 - 2 Erika / Gladstone 12 - 2 Dean Event 2 - The Wall Nightshade, Jet / Trojan, Cobra Claire 15 - 12 Erika / Gladstone 22 - 12 Dean Event 3 - Swingshot Lightning, Scorpio / Wolf, Saracen Claire 15 - 20 Erika / Gladstone 22 - 17 Dean Event 4 - Hang Tough Lightning / Saracen Claire 15 - 20 Erika / Gladstone 22 - 17 Dean Event 5 - Duel Falcon / Trojan Claire 20 - 25 Erika / Gladstone 22 - 17 Dean Eliminator Claire LOSER - WINNER Erika / Gladstone LOSER - WINNER Dean
3	"Heat 2: Rachel Culwick/Jo Neath,1 vs. Jo Harrington / Ken George vs. Phil Campbell"	17 September 1994 (1994-09-17)
Event 1 - The Wall Scorpio, Jet / Warrior, Wolf Rachel 5 - 10 Jo / Ken 5 - 10 Phil Event 2 - Powerball Falcon, Nightshade, Panther / Cobra, Saracen, Shadow Rachel 17 - 16 Jo / Ken 17 - 10 Phil Event 3 - Pyramid Zodiac, Nightshade / Cobra, Hunter Rachel 17 - 16 Jo / Ken 22 - 15 Phil Event 4 - Joust Scorpio / Trojan Rachel 17 - 21 Jo / Ken 27 - 20 Phil Event 5 - Hang Tough Lightning / Shadow Jo Neath 22 - 21 Jo Harrington / Ken 27 - 20 Phil Eliminator Jo Neath WINNER - LOSER Jo Harrington / Ken LOSER - WINNER Phil
4	"Heat 3: Eunice Huthart vs. Lorraine Stanley / Lee Blackledge vs. Andy Riddoch"	24 September 1994 (1994-09-24)
Event 1 - Skytrak Jet, Scorpio / Cobra, Wolf Eunice 0 - 10 Lorraine / Lee 5 - 10 Andy Event 2 - Atlaspheres Jet, Panther / Warrior, Saracen Eunice 6 - 13 Lorraine / Lee 5 - 13 Andy Event 3 - The Wall Zodiac, Nightshade / Trojan, Hunter Eunice 16 - 13 Lorraine / Lee 5 - 23 Andy Event 4 - Swingshot Lightning, Falcon / Cobra, Hunter Eunice 25 - 16 Lorraine / Lee 7 - 29 Andy Event 5 - Duel Nightshade / Shadow Eunice 30 - 21 Lorraine / Lee 7 - 29 Andy Eliminator Eunice WINNER - LOSER Lorraine / Lee LOSER - WINNER Andy
5	"Heat 4: Clancy Connor vs. Jo Banton / Ric Brown vs. Sam Codjoe"	1 October 1994 (1994-10-01)
Event 1 - Powerball Falcon, Jet, Panther / Cobra, Saracen, Shadow Clancy 2 - 2 Jo / Ric 4 - 2 Sam Event 2 - The Wall Nightshade, Lightning / Warrior, Wolf Clancy 2 - 12 Jo / Ric 4 - 12 Sam Event 3 - Gauntlet Nightshade, Scorpio, Zodiac, Panther, Lightning / Trojan, Saracen, Warrior, Hunter, Shadow Clancy 7 - 12 Jo / Ric 4 - 12 Sam Event 4 - Hang Tough Jet / Wolf Clancy 7 - 12 Jo / Ric 4 - 17 Sam Event 5 - Duel Panther / Hunter Clancy 12 - 17 Jo / Ric 9 - 22 Sam Eliminator Clancy LOSER - WINNER Jo / Ric LOSER - WINNER Sam
6	"Heat 5: Kerryn Sampey vs. Jayne Ludden / Neil Dorrell vs. Mark Skipper"	8 October 1994 (1994-10-08)
Event 1 - Atlaspheres Falcon, Zodiac / Trojan, Cobra Kerryn 0 - 0 Jayne / Neil 6 - 3 Mark Event 2 - Tilt Scorpio, Panther / Saracen, Warrior Kerryn 5 - 7 Jayne / Neil 16 - 3 Mark Event 3 - Danger Zone Panther / Hunter Kerryn 5 - 12 Jayne / Neil 26 - 5 Mark Event 4 - Hit & Run Jet & Lightning, Nightshade & Zodiac / Shadow & Trojan, Saracen & Wolf Kerryn 13 - 14 Jayne / Neil 28 - 15 Mark Event 5 - Duel Zodiac / Wolf Kerryn 23 - 19 Jayne / Neil 38 - 25 Mark Eliminator Kerryn WINNER - LOSER Jayne / Neil LOSER - WINNER Mark
7	"Heat 6: Katie Budd vs. Melissa Spackman / Ian Simpson vs. Paul Beswick"	15 October 1994 (1994-10-15)
Event 1 - Powerball Falcon, Lightning, Nightshade / Hunter, Trojan, Warrior Katie 11 - 12 Melissa / Ian 0 - 2 Paul Event 2 - Duel Lightning / Shadow Katie 21 - 17 Melissa / Ian 10 - 7 Paul Event 3 - Pyramid Scorpio, Falcon / Warrior, Shadow Katie 31 - 17 Melissa / Ian 15 - 17 Paul Event 4 - Hit & Run Jet & Nightshade, Panther & Scorpio / Trojan & Wolf, Cobra & Hunter Katie 39 - 29 Melissa / Ian 20 - 31 Paul Event 5 - Hang Tough Zodiac / Saracen Katie 39 - 34 Melissa / Ian 30 - 31 Paul Eliminator Katie LOSER - WINNER Melissa / Ian LOSER - WINNER Paul
8	"Heat 7: Sue Smith vs. Nikki Wyatt / Alex Lee vs. Paul Field"	22 October 1994 (1994-10-22)
Event 1 - Gauntlet Panther, Falcon, Scorpio, Jet, Lightning / Trojan, Saracen, Warrior, Hunter, Shadow Sue 10 - 10 Nikki / Alex 10 - 0 Paul Event 2 - Pyramid Nightshade, Jet / Wolf, Trojan Sue 20 - 10 Nikki / Alex 10 - 10 Paul Event 3 - Pursuit Scorpio, Lightning / Cobra, Saracen Sue 20 - 10 Nikki / Alex 15 - 20 Paul Event 4 - Hang Tough Lightning / Shadow Sue 25 - 10 Nikki / Alex 15 - 30 Paul Event 5 - Suspension Bridge Zodiac / Wolf Sue 35 - 20 Nikki / Alex 15 - 40 Paul Eliminator Sue LOSER - WINNER Nikki / Alex LOSER - WINNER Paul
9	"Heat 8: Rowan Duxbury,2 vs. Lisa Gibbs / Richard Barnett vs. Matt Beeke"	29 October 1994 (1994-10-29)
Event 1 - Atlaspheres Scorpio, Zodiac / Wolf, Saracen Rowan 9 - 3 Lisa / Richard 6 - 6 Matt Event 2 - Powerball Falcon, Jet, Panther / Hunter, Trojan, Warrior Rowan 9 - 15 Lisa / Richard 8 - 8 Matt Event 3 - Pole-Axe Nightshade / Hunter Rowan 9 - 15 Lisa / Richard 8 - 8 Matt Event 4 - Pursuit Jet, Lightning / Wolf, Cobra Rowan 9 - 15 Lisa / Richard 13 - 18 Matt Event 5 - Duel Scorpio / Shadow Rowan 14 - 20 Lisa / Richard 23 - 23 Matt Eliminator Rowan LOSER - WINNER Lisa / Richard LOSER - WINNER Matt
10	"Quarter-final 1: Jo Neath vs. Erika Rogerson / Dean Pollen vs. Phil Campbell"	5 November 1994 (1994-11-05)
Event 1 - Powerball Nightshade, Scorpio, Zodiac / Saracen, Shadow, Trojan Jo 7 - 2 Erika / Dean 6 - 7 Phil Event 2 - Pyramid Jet, Lightning / Cobra, Wolf Jo 7 - 12 Erika / Dean 6 - 17 Phil Event 3 - Pole-Axe Falcon / Hunter Jo 17 - 22 Erika / Dean 6 - 17 Phil Event 4 - Tilt Zodiac, Panther/Zodiac,3 / Warrior, Trojan Jo 22 - 29 Erika / Dean 10 - 27 Phil Event 5 - Duel Nightshade / Shadow Jo 22 - 34 Erika / Dean 10 - 27 Phil Eliminator Jo LOSER - WINNER Erika / Dean LOSER - WINNER Phil
11	"Quarter-final 2: Eunice Huthart vs. Jo Benton / Andy Riddoch vs. Sam Codjoe"	12 November 1994 (1994-11-12)
Event 1 - Skytrak Scorpio, Jet / Shadow, Saracen Eunice 10 - 5 Jo / Andy 10 - 5 Sam Event 2 - Gauntlet Nightshade, Jet, Zodiac, Scorpio, Falcon / Trojan, Saracen, Warrior, Hunter, Shadow Eunice 20 - 5 Jo / Andy 10 - 5 Sam Event 3 - Hang Tough Lightning / Wolf Eunice 20 - 5 Jo / Andy 10 - 5 Sam Event 4 - The Wall Nightshade, Lightning / Wolf, Hunter Eunice 30 - 10 Jo / Andy 15 - 15 Sam Event 5 - Suspension Bridge Scorpio / Trojan Eunice 30 - 15 Jo / Andy 20 - 15 Sam Eliminator Eunice WINNER - LOSER Jo / Andy LOSER - WINNER Sam
12	"Quarter-final 3: Kerryn Sampey vs. Melissa Spackman / Mark Skipper vs. Paul Beswick"	19 November 1994 (1994-11-19)
Event 1 - Atlaspheres Zodiac, Lightning / Trojan, Wolf Kerryn 0 - 0 Melissa / Mark 3 - 6 Paul Event 2 - Powerball Falcon, Jet, Scorpio / Hunter, Shadow, Warrior Kerryn 13 - 11 Melissa / Mark 3 - 10 Paul Event 3 - Pole-Axe Nightshade / Hunter Kerryn 13 - 11 Melissa / Mark 3 - 20 Paul Event 4 - Swingshot Falcon, Lightning / Hunter, Saracen Kerryn 17 - 18 Melissa / Mark 7 - 26 Paul Event 5 - Duel Nightshade / Shadow Kerryn 17 - 23 Melissa / Mark 12 - 31 Paul Eliminator Kerryn WINNER - LOSER Melissa / Mark LOSER - WINNER Paul
13	"Quarter-final 4: Katie Budd,4 vs. Nikki Wyatt / Paul Field vs. Matt Beeke"	26 November 1994 (1994-11-26)
Event 1 - Hang Tough Lightning / Saracen Katie 0 - 0 Nikki / Paul 5 - 0 Matt Event 2 - Danger Zone Falcon / Wolf Katie 1 - 5 Nikki / Paul 15 - 5 Matt Event 3 - Pursuit Scorpio, Falcon / Saracen, Shadow Katie 1 - 5 Nikki / Paul 15 - 15 Matt Event 4 - The Wall Zodiac, Jet / Warrior, Hunter Katie 1 - 5 Nikki / Paul 25 - 20 Matt Event 5 - Duel Nightshade / Trojan Katie 1 - 5 Nikki / Paul 35 - 20 Matt Eliminator Katie LOSER - WINNER Nikki / Paul WINNER - LOSER Matt
14	"Semi-final 1: Eunice Huthart vs. Erika Rogerson / Sam Codjoe vs. Phil Campbell"	3 December 1994 (1994-12-03)
Event 1 - Powerball Jet, Lightning, Nightshade / Shadow, Trojan, Warrior Eunice 8 - 6 Erika / Sam 4 - 6 Phil Event 2 - Pursuit Jet, Lightning / Saracen, Wolf Eunice 18 - 6 Erika / Sam 14 - 11 Phil Event 3 - Pole-Axe Nightshade / Hunter Eunice 18 - 6 Erika / Sam 14 - 11 Phil Event 4 - Hit & Run Panther & Scorpio, Falcon & Zodiac / Cobra & Trojan, Hunter & Warrior Eunice 28 - 12 Erika / Sam 20 - 19 Phil Event 5 - Duel Nightshade / Shadow Eunice 33 - 12 Erika / Sam 25 - 19 Phil Eliminator Eunice WINNER - LOSER Erika / Sam WINNER - LOSER Phil
15	"Semi-final 2: Kerryn Sampey vs. Nikki Wyatt / Paul Field vs. Paul Beswick"	10 December 1994 (1994-12-10)
Event 1 - The Wall Scorpio, Jet / Cobra, Hunter Kerryn 0 - 0 Nikki / Paul Field 10 - 0 Paul Beswick Event 2 - Powerball Jet, Lightning, Nightshade / Hunter, Trojan, Warrior Kerryn 8 - 2 Nikki / Paul Field 12 - 4 Paul Beswick Event 3 - Pyramid Falcon, Zodiac / Shadow, Wolf Kerryn 18 - 2 Nikki / Paul Field 22 - 4 Paul Beswick Event 4 - Suspension Bridge Nightshade / Saracen Kerryn 18 - 2 Nikki / Paul Field 22 - 4 Paul Beswick Event 5 - Hang Tough Lightning / Wolf Kerryn 18 - 2 Nikki / Paul Field 27 - 4 Paul Beswick Eliminator Kerryn WINNER - LOSER Nikki / Paul Field WINNER - LOSER Paul Beswick
16	"Grand Final: Eunice Huthart vs. Kerryn Sampey / Paul Field vs. Sam Codjoe/Phil Campbell,5"	17 December 1994 (1994-12-17)
Event 1 - Gauntlet Lightning, Falcon, Zodiac, Scorpio, Panther / Trojan, Cobra/Wolf, Warrior, Hunter, Saracen Eunice 10 - 5 Kerryn / Paul 10 - 0 Sam Event 2 - Pursuit Scorpio, Zodiac / Wolf, Trojan Eunice 20 - 10 Kerryn / Paul 20 - 5 Sam Event 3 - Pyramid Jet, Lightning / Saracen, Wolf Eunice 20 - 10 Kerryn / Paul 30 - 5 Sam Event 4 - Powerball Jet, Lightning, Nightshade / Hunter, Shadow, Warrior Eunice 28 - 14 Kerryn / Paul 34 - 9 Phil Event 5 - Duel Nightshade / Warrior Eunice 28 - 14 Kerryn / Paul 39 - 9 Phil Eliminator Eunice WINNER - LOSER Kerryn / Paul WINNER - LOSER Phil
17	"The Celebrity Challenge: Eddie Kidd vs. Barry McGuigan vs. Ellery Hanley vs. Martin Offiah vs. Mark Bosnich vs. Derek Redmond"	24 December 1994 (1994-12-24)
Event 1 - Atlaspheres Shadow and Trojan against Barry, Eddie and Ellery Hunter and Wolf against Derek, Mark and Martin Mark 12 Ellery 9 Martin 9 Barry 6 Derek 3 Eddie 0 Event 2 - Pyramid Wolf, Shadow and Hunter against Barry, Eddie and Ellery Saracen, Cobra and Trojan against Derek, Mark and Martin Mark 17 Derek 13 Eddie 10 Ellery 9 Martin 9 Barry 6 Event 3 - The Wall,6 Falcon chasing Barry, Scorpio chasing Eddie Nightshade chasing Martin, Lightning chasing Ellery Zodiac chasing Derek, Jet chasing Mark Derek 23 Eddie 20 Martin 19 Mark 17 Barry 11 Ellery 9 Event 4 - Pursuit,6 Jet chasing Eddie, Lightning chasing Derek Nightshade chasing Martin, Zodiac chasing Mark Falcon chasing Barry, Panther chasing Ellery Derek 33 Martin 29 Eddie 20 Ellery 19 Mark 17,7 Barry 11,7 Event 5 - Duel Hunter against Ellery, Shadow against Eddie, Trojan against Martin, Saracen against Derek Derek 43 Martin 29 Ellery 24,7 Eddie 20,7 Eliminator Martin LOSER - WINNER Derek
18	"The Fighting Forces Challenge: Paul Gellender vs. Simon Lovell vs. Richard Harbard vs. Simon Horridge vs. John Tredgett vs. Phillip Delbaugh"	31 December 1994 (1994-12-31)
Event 1 - Atlaspheres,6 Paul 12 Simon 12 John 9 Phillip 6 Richard 6 Simon 16 Event 2 - Pyramid Simon 16 Paul 12 Simon 12 John 9 Phillip 6 Richard 6 Event 3 - The Wall,6 Simon 22 Simon 21 John 19 Phillip 16 Paul 12,7 Richard 11,7 Event 4 - Powerball Phillip 26 Simon 24 Simon 23 John 21 Event 5 - Duel Phillip 34 Simon 31 Simon 23,7 John 21,7 Eliminator Simon LOSER - WINNER Phillip

^1 Rachel slipped off her sky bike awkwardly during Joust with Scorpio and broke her back when she landed on the crash mat, which forced her to retire before the final event.

^2 Rowan was invited back to take part after making in through to the quarter-finals the previous year but being forced to pull out due to food poisoning.

^3 Panther picked up an injury against Erika on tilt and had to withdraw from the competmotion. Zodiac replaced her for the second pull.

^4 Lisa injured her foot on some stairs after training for her quarter-final and had to pull out. Katie replaced her as the highest-scoring female loser from the heats.

^5 Shadow came in with a high tackle on Sam in the opening seconds of Powerball, injuring Sam in the process and sending him to A&E. Phil replaced him as the loser with the fastest eliminator time from the semi-finals.

^6 These events had the female Gladiators against the male contenders.

^7 In these special episodes, there were 6 contenders with 2 being eliminated after event 4 (event 3 in the Fighting Forces special) and another 2 being eliminated after event 5.