TWO Gladiators axed from series four – after Giant was sacked in row over OnlyFans girlfriend

TWO Gladiators have been axed from series four after Giant was sacked in a row over his OnlyFans girlfriend. Filming for the next series kicked off this weekend but two major stars were missing in action. Two Gladiators have been axed from the next series Credit: BBC Giant was axed after a row over his now-ex OnlyFans girlfriend Taylor Credit: Instagram The Sun can exclusively reveal that both Bionic and Athena will be absent from the upcoming edition when it returns in 2027 on BBC One. They were both injured for a lot of the last series which aired from January to March this year. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! A source told us: “They won’t film this year for the show but could be back for the tour, depending on how they recover from their injuries.” The Sun contacted the show but they declined to comment. Bionic, whose real name is Matty Campbell, was injured on an episode that aired in March. The athlete hurt his arm during Hang Tough as he tried tacking contender Finn. He was in visible pain when the injury happened as he hung, wincing, high in the arena. When he dropped to the crash mat he remained on his back as paramedics and doctors made their way to him. Most read in TV Bionic will not be returning for series four Credit: BBC Athena is also out after suffering an injury last series Credit: BBC Concerned viewers shared their thoughts on X, with one writing: “I hope Bionic’s OK.” Another said: “As always a great if substantially delayed episode of #Gladiators but shame to see Bionic injured. Hope next season they pad the roster a bit.“ Meanwhile, Athena – real name Karenjeet Kaur Bains suffered a severe knee injury during the early stages of filming for season three. This included a complete ACL tear, meniscus tear, LCL and MCL tears and a bone fracture. She stepped away from the show to undergo surgery and intensive rehabilitation but appears to be doing much better as per her social media posts. The news comes after Giant was unceremoniously axed from the programme in April as he alleged it was because the BBC didn’t approve of his relationship with his girlfriend Taylor Ryan, who is an OnlyFans model. Giant claimed that BBC chiefs gave him an ultimatum to dump Taylor or lose his job, saying she made him a danger to kids. He raged: “The BBC tried to ruin my relationship for the needs of the show and dropped me like a rock when it suited them.” Bionic injured his arm in an episode earlier this year Credit: BBC Giant claimed he was forced to choose between Taylor or his job Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk However, Jamie revealed recently that the pair are no longer in a relationship with one another. He said: “I’m not in a relationship anymore. I’m working on myself, the most important person right now to serve the people that I love is working on me. “Working out who it is I want be, which direction I want to go in because the ego has been put in a box, I want to move forwards and I want people to know me for me.” Taylor uploaded her own lengthy split de-brief to Instagram, in a video which she captioned: “Trauma dump anyone? If you don’t bl**dy laugh about it, you’ll cry. Luckily, I do both”. She then posted: “He broke up with me because of my job anyway,” followed by a shocked face Emoji. It was announced last week that Giant has been replaced by three-time World’s Strongest Man champion Tom Stoltman. Tom said: “This is a dream opportunity and I’m incredibly proud to become a Gladiator. “I’ve spent my life pushing myself to see what I can achieve and joining this incredible show is the next challenge. “I’m excited to bring my strength, determination and personality to the arena but, most importantly, I want people watching to feel inspired to believe in themselves and take on their own challenges.” He’ll be joined by fellow newbie Florence Wong, who will appear on the next series as Huntress. Gladiators will be returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2027. Comment now