Glasgow fitness coach is crowned Gladiators 2026 champion

A fitness coach from Glasgow has been crowned the men's winner of the BBC's Gladiators 2026.

Josh McDonald, a former Royal Marine Commando trainee, took the prize in a dramatic final broadcast on BBC One on Saturday.

The 27-year-old trainer, an area manager at Anytime Fitness in Glasgow, said he was "over the moon" to take the Series 3 title.

McDonald had been knocked out in an earlier round, but was able to return to the contest when another contestant was forced to retire due to injury.

Emily Bell, 23, from Croydon in London won the women's title for 2026.

McDonald went head-to-head with fellow finalist Tyler Spence, a teacher from Wigan, in a closely-fought 'Eliminator' finale.

The pair tackled the travelator side-by-side, but it was McDonald who took the title back home to Scotland

He told Gladiators host Barney Walsh: "We knew it was going to be a close battle and it could have gone either way.

"I was thinking about my mum the entire time, this win is for my family."

McDonald said he was grateful to everyone who came to support him at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, where Gladiators is filmed.

He said: "Coming from Scotland, it's a long commute to come and watch in the arena so I'm very appreciative of everyone that has come down to support.

"I've got a big fan base and I'm always excited to get out there and put on a good show for them.

"My partner Lauren has been my absolute rock through this whole experience and me making it to the final, a lot of it is down to her."

McDonald said winning the series was "a dream come true" and he had built a special shelf in his living room to display his trophy.

"I honestly still can't believe I have won the show, I feel very privileged to have even been part of the experience," he said.

"This has been the best experience of my life and winning is the cherry on top."

This year's contest began in January with Gladiators Apollo, Athena, Bionic, Comet, Cyclone, Diamond, Dynamite, Electro, Fire, Fury, Giant, Hammer, Legend, Nitro, Phantom, Sabre, Steel and Viper returning to showcase their power.

The programme's 11-week run was the third series of Gladiators' revival, after the original aired on ITV in the mid-1990s.

The high-energy entertainment show sees contenders rolling around in giant metal spheres, swinging from hanging rings and taking many heavy hits in a variety of arena events.

Father and son team Bradley and Barney Walsh are the presenters.