BBC Gladiators paid tribute to the late John Anderson (Image: CHALLENGE)
John Anderson, best known for his role as referee on the TV series Gladiators, died aged 92 in July last year.
The Scottish sports coach appeared in the game show’s original ITV run, which aired from 1992 to 2000, and its short-lived 2008 revamp on Sky. He lent his voice to the famous catch-phrase: “Contender, ready! Gladiator, ready!”
During Saturday night’s offering of the new series of Gladiators, the programme paid tribute to the referee at the end of the show leaving viewers in tears.
As the episode came to an end his picture appeared on screen and it read: “In memory of John Anderson 1931 – 2024.”
A viewer penned: “#Gladiators paying tribute to John Anderson, such an integral part of the ‘90s series,” a second agreed: “Absolutely a great tribute.”
BBC Gladiators paid tribute to show legend John Anderson (Image: BBC)
A third shared a series of teary-eyed emojis.
A fourth wrote: “Very classy of @ to honour the life of original Gladiators senior referee John Anderson who passed away last year at the age of 92. My thoughts go out to Dorothy and John’s extended family. Thanks for being a huge part of my childhood, John. #Gladiators #BBCGladiators.”
However, other viewers complained as the tribute was shown after the show credits began to roll with many saying they had already switched off the show.
One wrote: “Was this at the end of the show? I switched over as soon as the credits started rolling, so missed it.”
A second agreed: “That was nice, though maybe the team could have recorded something to be played either before or after the show?”