Former champion of the World’s Strongest Man competition, Tom Stoltman, has announced he will be joining the fourth series of hit BBC show Gladiators, with filming due to begin next month.
Tom Stoltman is joining the cast of Gladiators
The former World’s Strongest Man champion Tom Stoltman is becoming a Gladiator after it was announced he has joined the car of the hit BBC show.
While Stoltman’s Gladiator name is yet to be announced, the fourth series of the primetime show will begin filming in Sheffield next month before airing on BBC One in 2027. Speaking on joining the show, the 32-year-old said: “This is a dream opportunity and I’m incredibly proud to become a Gladiator.
“I’ve spent my life pushing myself to see what I can achieve and joining this incredible show is the next challenge.
“I’m excited to bring my strength, determination and personality to the arena but, most importantly, I want people watching to feel inspired to believe in themselves and take on their own challenges.”
Standing at 6ft 8in, Stoltman from Ivergordon in the Highlands was the first Scot to win the title when he was first crowned champion back in 2021.
He retained his World’s Strongest Man title through 2022 before winning the competition for a third time in 2024.
Officially, he is still Britain’s Strongest Man after winning the title for a fourth time in February this year, beating Adam Bishop and Paddy Haynes.
However, a hand injury stood in the way of his chances of being named strongest man in the world in 2026 before he was knocked out in the qualifying rounds.
In addition to returning in the classic format next year, there will also be an all-new Gladiators Celebrity Special with hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh at the helm.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, said: “With a brand-new series confirmed and another Celebrity Special on the way, audiences can look forward to even more colossal clashes, even more edge-of-your-seat excitement and plenty of opportunities to raise those foam fingers high one again.”
Stoltman’s addition to the show comes after controversy surrounding the departure of Gladiator Jamie ‘Giant’ Biggs. The TV personality took to Instagram to share a message telling fans he wouldn’t be back for series four, citing “this wasn’t a decision I made to step away” and that he “was faced with a choice that didn’t align with my values”.
He since told The Sun that the issue was his girlfriend Taylor Ryan’s OnlyFans career, claiming he was given an ultimatum to either end his relationship with Taylor or forfeit his role on Gladiators.
“I had to choose between dating Taylor and keeping my job,” he said. “I was shocked and very saddened about their choice to sack me.”
A Gladiators spokesperson said at the time of Jamie’s departure: “After three formidable series, Giant is leaving Gladiators. We’d like to thank him for everything he has contributed to the show and wish him well for the future.”
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.