Gladiators (1992 British TV series, series 4)

The fourth series of Gladiators aired in the UK from 16 September to 23 December 1995.

Gladiators
Season 4
Starring	Ulrika Jonsson John Fashanu John Anderson John Sachs
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	15
Release
Original network	ITV
Original release	16 September – 23 December 1995
Series chronology

Gladiators

Gladiator name	Portrayed by
Amazon	Sharron Davies
Cobra	Michael Willson
Falcon	Bernadette Hunt
Hunter	James Crossley
Jet	Diane Youdale
Lightning	Kim Betts
Nightshade	Judy Simpson
Panther	Helen O'Reilly
Raider	Carlton Headley
Rhino	Mark Smith
Saracen	Mike Lewis
Trojan	Mark Griffin
Vogue	Suzanne Cox
Warrior	Michael Ahearne
Wolf	Michael Van Wijk
Zodiac	Kate Staples

After the show's third series in 1994, Shadow (Jefferson King) was sacked from the show, after a newspaper uncovered evidence that he had taken steroids. King later confirmed the rumours were true and was dropped shortly after. Scorpio (Nikki Diamond) also left after three series. New Gladiators debuting in series 4 were Amazon (Sharron Davies), Raider (Carlton Headley), Rhino (Mark Smith) and Vogue (Suzanne Cox). This increased the number of Gladiators from fourteen to sixteen.

Events

Due to the increased pool of Gladiators, a new approach was taken to the majority of one-on-one events from this series onwards. On Duel, Hang Tough, Joust and Suspension Bridge, there would be a different Gladiator for each contender instead of the same Gladiator challenging both contenders. This approach had already been used on Tilt but was not used for Pole-Axe or Danger Zone. From this series onwards, a recording of Showaddywaddy’s "Hey Rock And Roll" would be played upon the introduction of each Gladiator on Hang Tough.

The order of the obstacle course in Pursuit was changed to: balance beam, handladder, wire bridge, low wall, web trap (underneath), high wall, web trap (over) and sprint finish. The course used for the second set of contenders/Gladiators was painted white to ensure that participants did not use the wrong route as had happened the previous series. Additionally to prevent corners being cut, neon markers were added to the start and end of the balance beam, hand ladder and wire bridge as well as all corners on the balance beam with a requirement for participants to touch them or otherwise return to them. Cheerleaders G-Force would monitor participants and raise a flag should there be any infringements of this rule - this being the first instance that G-Force were actively involved in an event. A point would be deducted from a contenders score for each fall from the balance beam, hand ladder and wire bridge and each infringement of the rules.

The time limit in Suspension Bridge was reduced from one minute to 30 seconds but pushing and shoving was allowed. The contender headstart on The Wall was decreased from 10 seconds to 7 seconds. Tilt had a minor rule change in that a draw on a pull resulted in no points (rather than 2). The contenders’ Atlaspheres were now yellow and orange in colour with the blue one being used for special episodes.

Joust, which had been played in that spring's live shows in Sheffield (as Pendulum, which had been due to be played, was too large for the arena) received a slight makeover with the sky bikes painted to red and white with the undercarriage no longer exposed. The bikes also rocked and rotated less violently than previous years. Joust was only used once before it was dropped. The event music was changed from the first 30 seconds of the event theme to just the last 30 seconds (a 60-second theme had been created for Joust though the event was only ever played for 60 seconds at the Sheffield shows). The same was also done for Pole-Axe with the final 10 seconds of the 60 second Pole-Axe theme being used for this series rather than the first 10 seconds.

There were two new events increasing the number of events from sixteen to eighteen.

Pendulum

This was an original event. The pendulum was a ball 5 metres (23') in diameter, which hung from the ceiling of the arena, 40 feet (12.23m) above the ground. The event was contender versus Gladiator in a game of hide and seek. On the whistle, the pendulum would begin to swing from side to side. The aim of the contender was to avoid the Gladiator, who attempted to track the contender down and remove the Velcro tag from their back. Once this was done, the game was over. If the contender remained on the pendulum for the full minute without the Gladiator grabbing their tag, they would score 10 points. If the contender's tag was grabbed by the Gladiator or fell off the pendulum, either one of them while remaining on the pendulum for forty seconds or more, they would score five points. If the contender or Gladiator fell off, the remaining participant won.

Whiplash

This event was based on the American Gladiators event of the same name which was a tug of war-type game. Contender and Gladiator gripped a ”dog bone” and the contender used this to pull the Gladiator out of a carpeted ring within thirty seconds or obtain the dog bone, sometimes referred to ”own the bone”. No wrenching or pulling was permitted by the Gladiator; their role was strictly resistance. However, the contender could use any means to remove the Gladiator from the ring. If the contender dragged the Gladiator out of the ring in thirty seconds or obtained the dog bone, they would score ten points.

Other changes

Andrew Norgate returned to become the timekeeper again.

In this series a number of post-production elements were introduced that would last for the majority of the remainder of the show. This included event idents used prior to each event. The opening titles were changed with each Gladiator turning their head towards the camera. The contender and Gladiator stats graphics were made consistent (though the Gladiators poses differed each series) and this, along with an updated style of scoreboards, was used for the next three series.

Episodes

Episode	Title	Original airdate
1	"Heat 1: Melanie Blewitt vs. Tracey Fulthorpe / Geoff Kenyon vs. Brian Richardson"	16 September 1995[1]
Event 1 - Pursuit Zodiac, Vogue / Raider, Cobra Melanie 0 - 8 Tracey / Geoff 1 - 10 Brian Event 2 - The Wall Nightshade, Amazon / Hunter, Cobra Melanie 0 - 13 Tracey / Geoff 1 - 10 Brian Event 3 - Whiplash Falcon, Panther / Warrior, Rhino Melanie 10 - 23 Tracey / Geoff 11 - 10 Brian Event 4 - Pyramid Lightning, Nightshade / Hunter, Trojan Melanie 10 - 23 Tracey / Geoff 11 - 10 Brian Event 5 - Hang Tough Lightning, Jet / Saracen, Wolf Melanie 10 - 23 Tracey / Geoff 11 - 10 Brian Eliminator Melanie LOSER - WINNER Tracey / Geoff LOSER - WINNER Brian
2	"Heat 2: Janet Allen vs. Diane Thomas / Phil Ennis vs. David O'Halloran"	23 September 1995[2]
Event 1 - Powerball Nightshade, Amazon, Zodiac / Raider, Warrior, Saracen/Rhino ^,1 Janet 2 - 4 Diane / Phil 4 - 5 David Event 2 - The Wall Jet, Lightning / Hunter, Cobra Janet 12 - 9 Diane / Phil 4 - 5 David Event 3 - Pendulum Zodiac, Nightshade / Hunter, Trojan Janet 12 - 19 Diane / Phil 9 - 5 David Event 4 - Gauntlet Jet, Falcon, Panther, Lightning, Amazon / Rhino, Trojan, Raider, Wolf, Warrior Janet 17 - 24 Diane / Phil 9 - 5 David Event 5 - Hang Tough Vogue, Falcon / Cobra, Wolf Janet 17 - 34 Diane / Phil 14 - 5 David Eliminator Janet WINNER - LOSER Diane / Phil WINNER - LOSER David
3	"Heat 3: Linda Dent vs. Jackie Kinsella / Glenn Williams vs. Chris Rawlinson"	30 September 1995[3]
Event 1 - Duel Zodiac, Falcon / Hunter, Saracen Linda 5 - 5 Jackie / Glenn 0 - 0 Chris Event 2 - Pole-Axe Vogue / Cobra Linda 5 - 5 Jackie / Glenn 10 - 10 Chris Event 3 - Gauntlet Panther, Jet, Zodiac, Falcon, Lightning / Rhino, Hunter, Raider, Wolf, Warrior Linda 5 - 10 Jackie / Glenn 10 - 10 Chris Event 4 - Atlaspheres Amazon, Panther / Raider, Saracen Linda 5 - 13 Jackie / Glenn 19 - 13 Chris Event 5 - Powerball Lightning, Vogue, Nightshade / Rhino, Trojan, Warrior Linda 5 - 17 Jackie / Glenn 19 - 15 Chris Eliminator Linda LOSER - WINNER Jackie / Glenn LOSER - WINNER Chris
4	"Heat 4: Kathy O'Dell vs. Rachel Whiteside / Regan Pilkington vs. Michael Bates/Mike Reynaud^,2"	7 October 1995[4]
Event 1 - Powerball Panther, Amazon, Falcon / Trojan, Rhino, Warrior Kathy 0 - 7 Rachel / Regan 2 - 2 Mike Event 2 - The Wall Lightning, Jet / Hunter, Cobra Kathy 10 - 7 Rachel / Regan 2 - 2 Mike Event 3 - Pendulum Vogue, Zodiac / Hunter, Saracen Kathy 20 - 7 Rachel / Regan 2 - 12 Mike Event 4 - Swingshot Falcon, Zodiac / Trojan, Raider Kathy 21 - 7 Rachel / Regan 6 - 12 Mike Event 5 - Duel Amazon, Nightshade / Rhino, Wolf Kathy 26 - 12 Rachel / Regan 6 - 17 Mike Eliminator Kathy WINNER - LOSER Rachel / Regan WINNER - LOSER Mike
5	"Heat 5: Mel Cambridge vs. Mandy Beacher / John Tyson vs. Mark Everitt"	14 October 1995[5]
Event 1 - Atlaspheres Amazon, Lightning / Raider, Cobra Mel 9 - 3 Mandy / John 0 - 3 Mark Event 2 - Pyramid Lightning, Nightshade / Trojan, Hunter Mel 9 - 3 Mandy / John 0 - 3 Mark Event 3 - Danger Zone Vogue / Saracen Mel 10 - 4 Mandy / John 4 - 5 Mark Event 4 - Duel Falcon, Panther / Rhino, Warrior Mel 10 - 9 Mandy / John 14 - 5 Mark Event 5 - Hang Tough Zodiac, Jet / Hunter, Wolf Mel 10 - 9 Mandy / John 14 - 15 Mark Eliminator Mel LOSER - WINNER Mandy / John LOSER - WINNER Mark
6	"Heat 6: Lynda Moore vs. Sonia Walker / Sean Clay vs. Lawrence Jean-Baptiste"	21 October 1995[6]
Event 1 - Whiplash Nightshade, Amazon / Warrior, Rhino Lynda 10 - 10 Sonia / Sean 10 - 10 Lawrence Event 2 - Hit & Run Zodiac & Panther, Jet & Vogue / Raider & Wolf, Warrior & Saracen Lynda 12 - 16 Sonia / Sean 18 - 10 Lawrence Event 3 - Pendulum Jet, Lightning / Trojan, Hunter Lynda 17 - 21 Sonia / Sean 28 - 20 Lawrence Event 4 - Duel Falcon, Nightshade / Raider, Hunter Lynda 22 - 26 Sonia / Sean 28 - 20 Lawrence Event 5 - Swingshot Lightning, Falcon / Cobra, Trojan Lynda 25 - 29 Sonia / Sean 34 - 33 Lawrence Eliminator Lynda LOSER - WINNER Sonia / Sean LOSER - WINNER Lawrence
7	"Heat 7: Cheryl Quin vs. Julie Gray / Murray Stephen vs. Bill Cumberland"	28 October 1995[7]
Event 1 - Atlaspheres Nightshade, Panther / Warrior, Saracen Cheryl 6 - 3 Julie / Murray 0 - 0 Bill Event 2 - Pyramid Amazon, Jet / Raider, Wolf Cheryl 6 - 3 Julie / Murray 0 - 0 Bill Event 3 - Suspension Bridge Lightning, Falcon / Warrior, Rhino Cheryl 16 - 13 Julie / Murray 10 - 0 Bill Event 4 - Hang Tough Zodiac, Vogue / Hunter, Cobra Cheryl 16 - 13 Julie / Murray 10 - 0 Bill Event 5 - Gauntlet Nightshade, Lightning, Zodiac, Jet, Panther / Rhino, Trojan, Raider, Wolf, Cobra Cheryl 16 - 18 Julie / Murray 15 - 5 Bill Eliminator Cheryl LOSER - WINNER Julie / Murray WINNER - LOSER Bill
8	"Heat 8: Jenny Waite vs. Kay Kershaw / Donald Williams vs. Steph Drury-Morris"	4 November 1995[8]
Event 1 - Powerball Amazon, Vogue, Lightning / Trojan, Rhino, Warrior Jenny 0 - 2 Kay / Donald 5 - 3 Steph Event 2 - The Wall Panther, Falcon / Cobra, Hunter Jenny 0 - 12 Kay / Donald 15 - 3 Steph Event 3 - Skytrak Lightning, Zodiac / Trojan, Hunter Jenny 0 - 12 Kay / Donald 15 - 3 Steph Event 4 - Tilt Nightshade/Falcon ^,3, Amazon / Warrior, Rhino Jenny 0 - 12 Kay / Donald 15 - 3 Steph Event 5 - Duel Jet, Zodiac / Wolf, Raider Jenny 5 - 12 Kay / Donald 25 - 3 Steph Eliminator Jenny LOSER - WINNER Kay / Donald WINNER - LOSER Steph
9	"Quarter-final 1: Janet Allen vs. Tracey Fulthorpe / Phil Ennis vs. Brian Richardson"	11 November 1995[9]
Event 1 - Powerball Amazon, Vogue, Jet / Raider, Rhino, Warrior Janet 7 - 4 Tracey / Phil 0 - 0 Brian Event 2 - The Wall Lightning, Jet / Hunter, Trojan Janet 7 - 4 Tracey / Phil 0 - 0 Brian Event 3 - Danger Zone Nightshade / Wolf Janet 12 - 9 Tracey / Phil 1 - 0 Brian Event 4 - Joust Panther, Falcon / Rhino, Raider Janet 17 - 14 Tracey / Phil 6 - 5 Brian Event 5 - Pendulum Zodiac, Falcon / Hunter, Cobra Janet 17 - 14 Tracey / Phil 6 - 5 Brian Eliminator Janet WINNER - LOSER Tracey / Phil LOSER - WINNER Brian
10	"Quarter-final 2: Kathy O'Dell vs. Jackie Kinsella / Regan Pilkington vs. Chris Rawlinson"	18 November 1995[10]
Event 1 - Atlaspheres Panther, Jet / Warrior, Raider Kathy 6 - 0 Jackie / Regan 3 - 3 Chris Event 2 - Duel Falcon, Amazon / Warrior, Hunter Kathy 11 - 5 Jackie / Regan 3 - 3 Chris Event 3 - Pole-Axe Zodiac / Trojan Kathy 11 - 5 Jackie / Regan 13 - 13 Chris Event 4 - Pursuit Vogue, Zodiac / Cobra, Rhino Kathy 14 - 15 Jackie / Regan 18 - 23 Chris Event 5 - Hang Tough Lightning, Jet / Wolf, Hunter Kathy 14 - 15 Jackie / Regan 28 - 28 Chris Eliminator Kathy WINNER - LOSER Jackie / Regan WINNER - LOSER Chris
11	"Quarter-final 3: Mandy Beacher vs. Sonia Walker / Mark Everitt vs. Lawrence Jean-Baptiste"	25 November 1995[11]
Event 1 - Powerball Lightning, Vogue, Falcon / Raider, Rhino, Warrior Mandy 0 - 0 Sonia / Mark 4 - 2 Lawrence Event 2 - The Wall Nightshade, Zodiac / Cobra, Trojan Mandy 10 - 0 Sonia / Mark 4 -12 Lawrence Event 3 - Pyramid Amazon, Jet / Hunter, Wolf Mandy 10 - 0 Sonia / Mark 4 - 12 Lawrence Event 4 - Suspension Bridge Falcon, Panther / Rhino, Warrior Mandy 10 - 0 Sonia / Mark 4 - 12 Lawrence Event 5 - Gauntlet Vogue, Falcon, Jet, Lightning, Panther / Warrior, Hunter, Cobra, Wolf, Raider Mandy 15 - 5 Sonia / Mark 14 - 17 Lawrence Eliminator Mandy WINNER - LOSER Sonia / Mark WINNER - LOSER Lawrence
12	"Quarter-final 4: Julie Gray vs. Kay Kershaw / Murray Stephen vs. Donald Williams"	2 December 1995[12]
Event 1 - The Wall Nightshade, Panther / Trojan, Hunter Julie 10 - 10 Kay / Murray 10 - 0 Donald Event 2 - Hang Tough Jet, Vogue / Cobra, Wolf Julie 10 - 10 Kay / Murray 10 - 0 Donald Event 3 - Skytrak Vogue, Zodiac / Cobra, Trojan Julie 15 - 20 Kay / Murray 10 - 0 Donald Event 4 - Duel Amazon, Falcon / Warrior, Rhino Julie 20 - 25 Kay / Murray 10 - 5 Donald Event 5 - Pendulum Lightning, Jet / Rhino, Warrior Julie 25 - 35 Kay / Murray 20 - 15 Donald Eliminator Julie LOSER - WINNER Kay / Murray WINNER - LOSER Donald
13	"Semi-final 1: Kathy O'Dell vs. Janet Allen / Regan Pilkington vs. Brian Richardson"	9 December 1995[13]
Event 1 - Powerball Lightning, Vogue, Falcon / Hunter, Warrior, Rhino Kathy 3 - 4 Janet / Regan 4 - 0 Brian Event 2 - The Wall Jet, Zodiac / Wolf, Cobra Kathy 3 - 4 Janet / Regan 4 - 10 Brian Event 3 - Pole-Axe Nightshade / Wolf Kathy 13 - 4 Janet / Regan 14 - 10 Brian Event 4 - Pyramid Zodiac, Lightning / Trojan, Raider Kathy 13 - 4 Janet / Regan 14 - 20 Brian Event 5 - Duel Falcon, Panther / Hunter, Warrior Kathy 18 - 14 Janet / Regan 14 - 20 Brian Eliminator Kathy LOSER - WINNER Janet / Regan WINNER - LOSER Brian
14	"Semi-final 2: Mandy Beacher vs. Kay Kershaw / Mark Everitt vs. Murray Stephen"	16 December 1995[14]
Event 1 - Powerball Zodiac, Vogue, Panther / Raider, Rhino, Warrior Mandy 6 - 2 Kay / Mark 5 - 4 Murray Event 2 - Hang Tough Jet, Lightning / Wolf, Cobra Mandy 6 - 2 Kay / Mark 5 - 4 Murray Event 3 - Swingshot Falcon, Vogue / Cobra, Trojan Mandy 8 - 4 Kay / Mark 17 - 10 Murray Event 4 - Gauntlet Panther, Falcon, Jet, Lightning, Zodiac / Rhino, Trojan, Raider, Hunter, Cobra Mandy 13 - 14 Kay / Mark 27 - 15 Murray Event 5 - Pendulum Zodiac, Lightning / Wolf, Hunter Mandy 13 - 24 Kay / Mark 37 - 25 Murray Eliminator Mandy WINNER - LOSER Kay / Mark WINNER - LOSER Murray
15	"Grand Final: Mandy Beacher vs. Janet Allen / Regan Pilkington vs. Mark Everitt"	23 December 1995[15]
Event 1 - Powerball Zodiac, Vogue, Jet / Trojan, Rhino, Warrior Mandy 0 - 2 Janet / Regan 0 - 6 Mark Event 2 - Pyramid Lightning, Zodiac / Hunter, Wolf Mandy 0 - 2 Janet / Regan 0 - 16 Mark Event 3 - Gauntlet Vogue, Falcon, Panther, Lightning, Jet / Rhino, Trojan, Raider, Hunter, Cobra Mandy 5 - 2 Janet / Regan 0 - 21 Mark Event 4 - Hang Tough Jet, Lightning / Wolf, Cobra Mandy 5 - 2 Janet / Regan 0 - 21 Mark Event 5 - Duel Panther, Falcon / Warrior, Hunter Mandy 10 - 7 Janet / Regan 10 - 21 Mark Eliminator Mandy LOSER - WINNER Janet / Regan LOSER - WINNER Mark

^1 Saracen’s mistimed tackle on Phil during Powerball injured his elbow, forcing him to retire from the event.

^2 Rhino's high tackle on Michael during Powerball caused him to break his knee and he was forced to retire before the first event was over.

^3 Nightshade picked up a concussion in Tilt after beating Jenny in the first pull, forcing her to retire from the event.

References

1. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0001)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
2. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0002)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
3. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0003)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
4. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0004)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
5. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0005)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
6. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0006)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
7. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0007)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
8. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0008)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
9. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0009)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
10. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0010)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
11. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0011)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
12. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0012)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
13. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0013)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
14. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 0014)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
15. "GLADIATORS (EPISODE 15 - FINAL)". ITN Source. Retrieved 15 July 2017.