Gladiators fans demand ‘rubbish’ star is axed from show after ‘stitching contestants up’ with sneaky tactics

GLADIATORS fans have demanded a 'rubbish' star is axed from the show after 'stitching contestants up' with sneaky tactics.

The rebooted series has been a massive hit for the BBC after it returned on BBC One earlier this year.

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A whole bunch of new Gladiators were introduced to viewers and as the first series nears its end, many are hopeful that the show will return for a second outing.

However, there's one Gladiator that has not impressed a number of viewers, following their bad behaviour during the episodes so far.

Viper has been billed as the resident 'baddie' and despite not saying a word all series, he has got people talking due to his behaviour.

Earlier in the series he got in trouble with referee Mark Clattenburg for pinning a contestant to the side during Gauntlet, and during Saturday's quarter final the ref had to give him another talking to.

Within seconds of the game titled 'The Ring' Viper had pinned contestant Ash to the ground, which is not allowed.

One of the assistant referees raced over shouting 'release!' before trying to pull Viper off Ash.

Mark blew his whistle and stopped the clock as the audience booed Viper and chanted 'Off!'

The referee told him: "Viper, this is a formal warning. I told you in the locker room no holding!"

The game then restarted and Viper behaved himself but it was too little, too late for some watching.

Taking to a fan forum, one wrote: "Viper needs to go. Legend is the “bad guy” and does it well with humour (plus he’s actually a good gladiator).

"Viper is rubbish at all the events. Unfair to have him!"

Another added: "Viper needs to go for series 2. I know it's most likely scripted but his "cheating" really puts a contestant at a disadvantage.

"He is not a pantomime villain like Wolf, Oblivion or Legend and just comes across as a douche. He is also rubbish at every game."

Meanwhile over on X - formerly Twitter - there was a similar feeling, with one fan writing: "Really f***ing hate Viper, why have they got so many gladiators trying to be the “baddie”. Viper is just trash."

Another tweeted: "Please don't bring Viper back, the joke has worn thin!"

However, others felt sorry for the Gladiator, with one posting: "I feel really bad for Viper as he’s clearly been given a role to play by producers and it’s just not landing. Seems like he’s not even allowed to speak!?"

Another echoed: "Viper is clearly playing the traditional bad-guy but because he's silent it doesn't allow him to show much personality. You cannot play the panto villain if you don't speak."

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Gladiators airs Saturdays on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.