Fans of the popular BBC show, Gladiators, were left stunned as former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg took to the ring and seemingly adopted a Scottish accent. The show, which made its return to TV screens after more than two decades, introduced a brand new squad of athletes and sports stars. Hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son Barney, the show aims to reignite the excitement of the original series that aired from 1992 to 2000, presented by Ulrika Johnsson.
Clattenburg, a renowned referee who officiated the Champions League cup final and the Euro 2016 final, shocked the nation when he stepped in to fill the shoes of the iconic Scottish voice of John Anderson. In the one-hour episode, Clattenburg delivered the show’s famous line, “Contestants, ready? Gladiators, ready?” This unexpected twist prompted fans to flood social media with comments about the former football referee’s surprising accent.
Some fans questioned whether Clattenburg, originally from the North East of England, was actually Scottish, while others accused him of putting on the accent to sound like Anderson. A few even speculated that he participated in the show for financial reasons. However, there were also fans who praised Clattenburg for his unexpected role and expressed their excitement at seeing him referee in a different arena.
Before the episode aired, Clattenburg expressed his gratitude and excitement, describing the opportunity to be a part of Gladiators as one of the most amazing things he will do in his life. He also paid tribute to the show’s original referee, John Anderson, calling him “legendary” and stating that taking over the whistle from him was a great honor.
In addition to Clattenburg’s surprise appearance, the show also had its fair share of drama when contestant Finley suffered a serious knee injury during a challenging game called the Gauntlet. Despite the setback, Gladiators continues to captivate audiences with its thrilling competitions and nostalgic appeal.
For more details and to watch Mark Clattenburg’s performance on Gladiators, visit F5mag.com.