Gladiators legend John Anderson dies, aged 92

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John Anderson was a popular figure on British television during the 1990s.

John Anderson, who was famous for being the referee on the popular ITV series Gladiators, passed away at the age of 92.

A former athlete who later became a coach and educator, Anderson gained widespread recognition later in his life. He served as the main referee on the show during its successful initial run from 1992 to 2000.

Anderson passed away in the early morning of Sunday (July 28).

In addition to his stringent officiating methods, Anderson was famous for kicking off events with his signature phrases delivered in his powerful Glaswegian accent.

"Are you ready to compete? The gladiators are ready! Three! Two! One!" These words became just as iconic as the actual rounds of the show, along with John signaling who would begin on his first or second whistle.

Gladiators is making a comeback in 2024 with a new trailer released by the BBC. The popular TV show is getting revived and fans are excited to see what the new season has in store. Get ready for some adrenaline-pumping competition and intense battles as the Gladiators return to the screen. Stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming season of Gladiators!

John made a brief comeback to Gladiators when it was revived in 2008 on Sky. However, he decided to leave after just one season when he retired from television.

Apart from coaching Gladiators, Anderson has also worked with multiple Olympic athletes, such as former 5,000m world record breaker David Moorcroft and Liz McColgan, who won a silver medal in the 10,000m at the 1988 Olympics.

John did not take part in the recent popular revival of Gladiators on the BBC, but it was clear to see that Anderson had a strong influence on the referee of that show, Mark Clatternburg.