Gay Olympic champion to compete on Gladiators: Celebrity Special

Two-time Olympic-gold-medallist Nicola Adams is stepping into the arena to take part in Gladiators: Celebrity Special.

The LGBTQ+ boxer will be joined by fitness guru Joe Wicks, Made in Chelsea‘s Sam Thompson and presenter Vogue Williams as they face off against the gladiators in front of a packed crowd in Sheffield.

The celebrities will take part in challenges such as Duel, The Wall and the legendary Eliminator, in the one-off special.

“I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of the Gladiators: Celebrity Special,” said Adams. “It’s such an iconic show, and growing up, I loved watching the epic battles and strong personalities. Now, getting the chance to step into that arena myself, it’s a whole new kind of challenge.

“I may be a champion in the boxing ring but this is different.”

Adams became the first woman to win a boxing gold medal at the Olympics when she triumphed in London in 2012. She successfully defended her flyweight title in Rio four years later before retiring in 2019.

No stranger to reality TV or a challenge, Adams joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, making history again as part of the first same-sex couple on the show. She had to pull out after dance partner Katya Jones tested positive for COVID-19.

Wicks was also thrilled to get a chance to join a show he watched as a youngster, and Thompson said: “Bring it on, I genuinely can’t wait to take part, I’m so excited. Taking on the gladiators is really cool.”

Meanwhile, Williams said: “This is wild. I’ll be living out my childhood dream just stepping into the arena. But I can’t quite process how I’ll actually face these amazing gladiators. I’m just delighted to be a contender.”

No details of when the show will air have been revealed yet.

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