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Gladiators earns Sky fearsome audience share

12/05/2008

The return of Gladiators to UK TV screens has given Sky One its second highest audience share of the year, overnight figures have shown.

The first episode of the revitalised franchise was watched by 1.5 million people last night; 11.5 per cent of the total audience share.

A spokesman for Sky One told the Guardian the broadcaster was "thrilled" at the figures.

Gladiators, which was originally shown in Britain on ITV, disappeared from UK screens in 2000 after an eight-year run of amateur athletes battling against muscle-bound gladiators in events requiring speed, agility and strength.

Co-host Ian Wright has said he is "thrilled to be involved" with the show.

"Since people first heard it was coming back the response has been phenomenal and I am so excited that a new generation get to experience it," he explained.

And his co-presenter Kirsty Gallacher has admitted she "grew up with Gladiators".

"I couldn't be more excited to be involved in the new series," she added.

"It promises to be great entertainment on a major scale."