Gladiators viewers weren’t impressed just minutes into the grand final of the reboot’s first series this weekend.

The BBC show returned for its finale on Saturday as part of the broadcaster’s schedule for Easter weekend. Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh were back at the helm as hosts, with four contenders competing to become champions.

However, some viewers have expressed disappointment over the first game in the episode. It was revealed that the contenders would first take on Gauntlet, which sees them attempt to get past Gladiators, who try to stop them. Not everyone is a fan of that particular game though, with some fans sharing their frustration over its inclusion in the final on X, formerly known as Twitter, earlier. There are even calls for the game to be scrapped ahead of the next series.

One wrote just minutes into the final: “Gauntlet seems a bit feeble as a game at the best of times, never mind as the opener to the #Gladiators Grand Final.” Another said: “Mental having Gauntlet in the final. Absolutely s***e game.”

Gladiators’ grand final began with the contenders taking on Gauntlet on Saturday night ( 
Image:
BBC)

A third wrote on the platform on Saturday: “Starting with the Gauntlet? What’s going on?” Someone teased, as reported by the Daily Star: “Good idea, get gauntlet out of the way first, then they can get down to some actual challenges!”

Some people have suggested that the game isn’t challenging enough for the contenders on the show. One person wrote: “They need to get rid of Gauntlet. […] It’s dead easy. Almost every contestant has battered it with no problem.”

Some Gladiators viewers weren’t impressed with one aspect of the grand final just minutes into it ( 
Image:
BBC)

Another said: “[They] need to drop the gauntlet for the next season. Points just for showing up.” A third tweeted: “Gauntlet remains a non-event in its current state. Everyone gets 10 points.” And someone wrote: “Get rid of Gauntlet.” It’s been suggested that producers should either get rid of the game in the second series or extend it. One person proposed: “They should make the zones of the gauntlet longer because why are they getting through it so easily.” Another said: “They either need to make the Gauntlet harder (add an extra section with 20 secs still) or get rid of it in Season 2.”

It was announced earlier this week that Gladiators has been renewed for a second series. Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, said: “Gladiators has really kicked this year off with a bang, and we’re so delighted that the fans have come to the show in their masses. It has been wonderful to hear how much families have loved watching this together, as part of the BBC’s Saturday evening entertainment offering. We can’t wait for more action from the Gladiators.”