fans were left fuming on Saturday night after claiming contestants had bent the rules during the Hang Tough challenge.
Since its highly anticipated return to the , Gladiators has kept audiences entertained by showcasing intense battles between contenders and the show’s formidable athletes.
However, this weekend’s episode left some questioning whether contenders were playing fair in one of the show’s most iconic games.
Hang Tough sees a contender and a Gladiator swinging on rings suspended 3.6m above the arena floor. The aim is for the contender to reach the Gladiator’s platform while the Gladiator attempts to dislodge them from the rings.
While the rules dictate that Gladiators must remove contenders safely, it is unclear whether contenders are strictly prohibited from making physical contact with their opponents, leaving some fans to wonder if there had been a rule break.
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One of the challenges in the Gladiators caused controversy tonight (Image: BBC)
Outraged viewers took to X to voice their concerns. One questioned: “I didn’t think the contenders were allowed to touch the Gladiators in Hang Tough?” Another fumed: “Are they allowed to push them? They cheat so many times on this.”
Meanwhile, others were more focused on the Gladiators’ performance, with one unimpressed fan asking: “Is there a reason most of the Gladiators all swing so awkwardly and slow on Hang Tough compared to the 90s?”
Despite the controversy, the round delivered some gripping moments. Fans praised Zavia, who put on a thrilling display against Gladiator Comet, earning a draw in what some thought could have been a full ten-point win.
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Viewers complained that contestants broke a rule (Image: BBC)
One viewer applauded: “Well done Zavia, that was totally chaos, but those 5 points on Hang Tough were well, well earned.” Another added: “Some great rounds on Hang Tough tonight. This is shaping up to be a great Quarter Final.”
The results of the event saw Poppy narrowly miss out on victory against Athena, falling with just three seconds to go, while Zavia held her own in a dramatic battle against Comet, earning a well-deserved five points.
Zavia, who is an admin assistant from Manchester, is one of the final contestants on the reality show. She has been left to duke it out with prison PE teacher Poppy for a space in the semi-finals.