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Nitro, Diamond & Legend: ‘WE HAVE WATCH PARTIES EVERY WEEK'
We hear from the superhumans on the show everyone’s talking about
If, like the rest of the nation, you’ve been captivated by the Gladiators reboot on BBC One – complete with travelator and pugil sticks – you’ll know the Gladiators themselves are pretty formidable. And, as well as their staggering biceps and the brute force of their thighs, you’re bound to fear their fighting talk (“I have a medical condition that prevents me from fully closing my legs,” Legend tells us).
The iconic 1990s show – which sees regular contenders take on the 16 Gladiators in various super-strength tasks – made a triumphant comeback in January, and that’s in no small part due to the characters the hopefuls are up against. We caught up with Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey), Diamond (Livi Sheldon) and Legend (Matt Morsia) to find out whether they’re actually superheroes after all…
What’s it like watching yourself on TV every week?
Nitro: It’s been unreal. This is so far beyond what I could have imagined, not only being on an entertainment show, but a sporting entertainment show. It’s superhero vibes.
Diamond: It’s pretty surreal, to be fair. I was a fan when I was younger, so watching myself as a Gladiator is incredible.
Legend: We filmed it a while ago, so it’s nice that it’s out there for everyone else to see. It’s sick to watch it on TV.
What have you been doing to celebrate?
N: I’ve had the biggest viewing parties, some ending very late. People come round and I get my favourite snacks like popcorn and Haribo and we pack out the living room. But it’s terrible afterwards, because I’ve just put new carpet down and I have to vacuum up all the popcorn!
D: Mine’s a lot tamer. We had a big watch party for the first one, but now I just go round to friends and families’ houses, and they take turns hosting.
I don’t have to clean up!
L: We have a viewing party every Saturday with different friends, which is cool.
What do your friends and family make of your performances?
N: They’re watching it with wide eyes and big hearts – and they’re seeing how awesome Nitro is.
D: It’s really nice to sit and watch their reactio
