The Original 'Gladiators' Reunited On 'This Morning', Filling 90's Kids With Giddy Nostalgia

Gladiator, READY?
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Long before ā€˜The X Factorā€™ and ā€˜Strictly Come Dancingā€™ dominated our screens, Saturday night TV was all about ā€˜Gladiatorsā€™.

The likes of Hunter and Jet were the Alexandra Burke and Rylan Clark-Neal of their generation, with millions tuning in each week to watch a group of beefed-up, spandex-clad athletes face off against a member of the public in a series of physical challenges.

Exactly 25 years on from when the original series first began, a handful of the showā€™s original reunited on ā€˜This Morningā€™ to mark the occasion, filling 90s kids up and down the country with fuzzy nostalgia.

'Gladiators' turned 25 today
'Gladiators' turned 25 today
ITV

Hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby were joined by Jet, Hunter, Panther and Ace, as well as iconic referee John Anderson on the ITV daytime show, where they revealed what they were all up to now.

Diane Youdale (better known as Jet) now works as a psychotherapist and specialises in ā€œwellness in the work placeā€, having sustained an injury during her time on the show that forced her to pull out.

Jet, Ace, Hunter and Panther as they looked in their heyday
Jet, Ace, Hunter and Panther as they looked in their heyday
ITV/Rex/Shutterstock

James Crossley, who went by Hunter back then, now works as a trainer, while Helen Oā€™Reily (aka Panther) owns her own gym.

Warren Furman, who competed as Ace, went on to have a high-profile engagement to Katie Price, but has since stepped out of the spotlight, having now found Christianity.

ā€œBack then I did worship myself,ā€ he said. ā€œNow I am sort of gladiator for the gospel.ā€

Seeing them all back on screen lead to many fans to call for its return, as they shared their memories of the show on Twitter.

Loved gladiators sat down with all the family to watch it would love it to come back so now my little family can all sit and watch !

ā€” Katie Kneen (@KneenKk) October 10, 2017

@ITV U need to bring back Gladiators!I remember trying to recreateā€œHang Toughā€ by swinging off the curtains.. curtains ripped on the floor!

ā€” Mark Wiles (@wilesy999) October 10, 2017

Amazing seeing 4 of the original gladiators on #thismorning after 25 years.. that's put a spring in my step and a smile on my face. Thanks x

ā€” Jason Davies (@jason29101984) October 10, 2017

How amazing is it to see the Gladiators 25 years on! Great childhood memories #ThisMorning #Gladiators

ā€” Victoria Alderton šŸŒˆ (@MissAlderton86) October 10, 2017

Awww Gladiators on @thismorning takes me back! Saturday night tv at its best can't believe it's 25 years old šŸ˜± #Gladiators #OldSkool

ā€” Sammi H (@Sammi1509) October 10, 2017

How amazing is it to see the Gladiators 25 years on! Great childhood memories #ThisMorning #Gladiators

ā€” Victoria Alderton šŸŒˆ (@MissAlderton86) October 10, 2017

gladiators is my childhood,watching it whilst having my tea on a Saturday! @thismorning cant believe how well they look @hollywills @Schofe

ā€” ā˜…Rā˜®SSYā˜… (@RO22H91) October 10, 2017

@thismorning The Gladiators gave me some of the best childhood memories! I will never forget being there each year ā¤ļø #ThisMorning

ā€” Stacey Morrison (@Staki_Boo_22) October 10, 2017

Ahh! The memories! I used to love #Gladiators #ThisMorning

ā€” Kim Carberry (@NorthumMam) October 10, 2017

@thismorning ahhhh I loved the gladiators!! Good sat night memories. #lighting #jet #wolf favs !!! Old school. Feel a little old šŸ¤”šŸ¤”

ā€” caroline oliver (@happycazza) October 10, 2017
Fans have called for the return of 'Gladiators'
Fans have called for the return of 'Gladiators'
Rex/Shutterstock/ITV/Ken McKay

ā€˜Gladiatorsā€™ made a brief return to screens in 2008, when Sky1 aired two rebooted series, which featured Kelly Brookā€™s ex and ā€˜Bromansā€™ star David McIntosh as one of the athletes.

ā€˜This Morningā€™ airs weekdays at 10.30am on ITV.

Watch the full interview with the Gladiators in the video below...

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