Who is The Giant on Gladiators? Gladiators 2024 Release Date, Where to Watch, and More
by Ruksana
Updated Jan 22, 2024
Who is The Giant on Gladiators?
The Giant, originally known as Jamie Christian-Johal, is one of the Gladiators on the rebooted BBC One show. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 5 inches tall, he earned the nickname "The Giant." Born in 1986 in Derbyshire, Jamie transitioned from being a firefighter to a professional bodybuilder.
He began his bodybuilding career in 2009 and achieved notable successes in various competitions, including winning 9th place in the Arnold Classic Europe Amateur in 2016 and securing first place in the NPC Worldwide Ben Weider Classic UK Men’s Bodybuilding – Class D in 2018. The Giant is known for his towering presence in the open-class bodybuilding world, especially since his main rival, Aaron Reed, never obtained a Pro Card.
In a 2023 interview , Jamie announced that he decided to quit steroids in 2022 and is no longer a professional bodybuilder. Married to Katie Christian, a hormone practitioner, and a father to a teenage son named Harley, The Giant brings a unique background to the Gladiators series, showcasing his journey from firefighting to bodybuilding.
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The Gladiators Audience Notices The Giant's YouTube Video From 2019
After the Gladiators' reboot premiered on BBC One, attracting 6.4 million viewers, many people turned to the internet to learn more about The Giant. One particular YouTube video from October 2019, in which The Giant was featured, went viral. Titled "Take this and you’ll get big," the video, posted by the TrainedbyJP channel, raised concerns for BBC.
In the video, The Giant is seen discussing the use of anabolic steroids. He shares insights about the prevalence of steroid use in competitive bodybuilding and openly talks about his own usage of these substances. This revelation sparked worries for BBC bosses, as the video could potentially present a problematic image for The Giant as a Gladiator, especially since steroids are illegal and have serious health risks. The situation led to a bit of a crisis within the show, as the bosses realized the potential negative impact of having a Gladiator endorsing the use of steroids.
Gladiators Series 2024
The Gladiators Series of 2024 is a British TV show that began airing on BBC One on January 13, 2024. It's a reboot of the original 1992 Gladiators series and marks the second revival after the 2008 series. The 11-part series is produced by Hungry Bear Media and MGM Alternative UK and is hosted by Bradley Walsh along with his son Barney.
The format of the show involves four contestants, two male and two female, competing in physically challenging events against resident 'Gladiators,' aiming to secure a place in the grand final and be crowned the champion for their respective series. The series was filmed at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, with a design reminiscent of the original ITV version but without a water element, showcasing modern electronic display technology in the arena.
Gladiators 2024 Release Date
The Gladiators Series 2024 premiered on January 13, 2024, at 5:50 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The release date was officially announced by the BBC on January 3, 2024. Prior to its debut, a sneak peek of the show, including new and classic events, was released on December 25, 2023, through the first official trailer.
During the Strictly Come Dancing finale of 2023, key Gladiators, including the Giant (Jamie Christian Johal), Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey), Fury (Jodie Ounsley), and Fire (Montell Douglas), made an appearance, hinting at the upcoming premiere in the "beginning of the new year" of 2024.
Where to Watch Gladiators 2024?
Gladiators 2024 can be watched on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The show airs on BBC One at 5:50 pm, making it accessible to television viewers. Additionally, BBC iPlayer provides an online streaming platform, allowing viewers to watch the series at their convenience.
The show's release date, January 13, 2024, was anticipated by fans, and the first official trailer, released on December 25, 2023, generated excitement by offering a glimpse of both new and classic events. Overall, Gladiators 2024 brings the thrilling competition to both traditional television and online streaming for audiences to enjoy.
Gladiators 2024 Trailer
Who is The Giant on Gladiators? - FAQs
The Giant, originally known as Jamie Christian-Johal, is a Gladiator on the 2024 BBC One series.
The Giant's YouTube video from October 2019, titled "Take this and you’ll get big," raised concerns as it featured discussions about anabolic steroids.
Gladiators Series 2024 premiered on January 13, 2024, at 5:50 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Gladiators 2024 features four contestants (two male, two female) competing against resident 'Gladiators' in physically challenging events.
Gladiators Series 2024 was filmed at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.