Bradley Walsh in 1997 on Gladiators Celebrity Special
Bradley Walsh gave fans a shock as he stripped down on Gladiators (Picture: ITV)

With the Gladiators wandering around in skin-tight latex, the presenters rarely catch fans’ attention but one clip of Bradley Walsh has viewers swooning.

Fans of the popular competition show will know the 63-year-old presenter as the host for the new reboot, alongside his son Barney, for the BBC.

However, The Chase host surprised everyone when he appeared in a Celebrities vs Jockeys special in 1997, dressed in matching pink shorts and T-shirt.

Entering the Sumo Ball arena, Bradley stripped off his oversized shirt and shorts to reveal a pink skintight bikini with the commentator teasing it was his ‘drag’ persona.

Original narrator John Sachs jokingly asked if his ‘wife knows about this’, referencing Barney’s mum Donna who tied the knot with Bradley that same year.

‘I, ladies and gentlemen, am the new girl Gladiator, Crumpet,’ the then 37-year-old Bradley announced to the crowd.

Bradley Walsh in 1997 on Gladiators Celebrity Special
Many were shocked by the throwback clip from 1997 by Brad’s toned body(Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Bradley Walsh in 1997 on Gladiators Celebrity Special
He’s been a Gladiators fan for years (Picture: ITV)

The audience cheered and laughed as he flexed his muscles on the podium before squaring up to the intimidating Wolf, also known as Michael Van Wijk.

He opted to have Warrior play in his place, climbing back down the ladder carefully before laughing with Ulrika Jonsson over his ‘flesh coloured tights’.

The clip was reposted to YouTube and people couldn’t get over how ‘fit’ Bradley looked as he flashed his abs.

‘Can we all agree he looks really fit in that outfit,’ praised user chocolatechipkookie3439, loving the pink fit.

Also showering him in compliments, KayleighNatasha added: ‘Brad really suits the colour pink.’

Others called the clip ‘prophetic’ as user NukSooKow-yp9py joked: ‘Little did Bradley know…..this was prophetic for the lunacy of the future.’

His at ease playfulness for the cameras and sharp wit has become something the presenter is well known for in the 27 years since.

Brad’s looks were praised as much as his presenting though and some felt the youthful glow reminded them of another host for Gladiators.

Bradley Walsh now
His wit had many praising how perfect he is for the job (Picture: BBC / James Stack / © Hungry Bea)
Bradley Walsh in 1992 on Only Joking
Young Brad has fans swooning (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

‘He looks so much like Barney there,’ added Smithy225 referencing his son, who has followed in his dad’s footsteps with presenting and acting stints.

Bradley, and a very young Barney were actually regular visitors on set, with the Casualty actor taking some of his first steps on the iconic arena floor.

That’s all thanks to wife and mother, Donna, who was a key part of the original show as the head choreographer for the cheerleaders, known as G-Force.

Of course, Bradley has opted for less revealing clothes on his return to Gladiators as presenter alongside Barney.

Bradley Walsh in 1997 on Gladiators Celebrity Special
Bring back Gladiator Crumpet (Picture: ITV)
(L to R) Bradley Walsh, Gladiators Finlay Anderson, Marie-Louise Nicholson and Barney Walsh, 2024 winners
Brad now hosts Gladiators with son Barney (Picture: BBC/James Stack/Hungry Bear Media Ltd/PA Wire)

The rebooted series saw Finlay Anderson and Marie-Louise Nicholson crowned the winners after an intense showdown in the final.

They went up against fellow finalists Wesley Male and Bronte Jones for one last time – but after 11 weeks of gruelling challenges, they were the ones who emerged victorious.

For anyone hoping to try their luck at the Eliminator, Gladiators has been renewed for a second season after 8.7 million of us tuned in to watch.

Anyone over 18 years old can apply to be a contender on the show next season by visiting the BBC’s website on this link before June 13, 2024.

Gladiators is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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