World’s Strongest Man three-time champ Tom Stoltman revealed as new Gladiator after Giant was axed by BBC bosses

A FORMER three-time World’s Strongest Man champion has been revealed as the BBC’s brand-new Gladiator after Giant’s axe. The game show had been thrown into turmoil after the bodybuilder – real name Jamie Bigg, 40 – was unceremoniously sacked from the series reboot back in April. A brand new Gladiator to replace Giant on the BBC series has been revealed Credit: BBC Tom Stoltman has triumphed in three World’s Strongest Men competitions Credit: AFP He will replace Giant – real name Jamie Bigg – who was axed this year Credit: Instagram Giant was ditched after his ex girlfriend Taylor Ryan’s OnlyFans career was exposed Credit: Instagram Giant previously alleged he was given the boot from the Saturday night show because the BBC “didn’t approve” of his relationship with ex Taylor Ryan, 28 – who is an OnlyFans model – and with whom he has since split. The Sun then exclusively told how the show’s stars had reunited to campaign for Giant’s return – yet the broadcaster has opted for Scottish muscle man Tom Stoltman instead. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! The BBC has today confirmed Tom, 32, will “be stepping into the Gladiators arena, ready to take on a brand-new challenge”. Tom, who hails from the Scottish Highlands, said of his new telly role: “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”. Worlds Strongest Man Tom told how Gladiators was his ‘dream opportunity’ Credit: Northpix The champ will join the cast for filming in Sheffield this month Credit: Northpix Giant and Taylor split in June – after he gave up his job for her Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk She has told how she was ‘blindsided’ by the split Credit: Instagram Filming for the series starts in Sheffield this month. The BBC has added: “Contenders once again prepare to face the ultimate test of speed, strength and endurance”. Most read in Showbiz It came after axed Gladiator Giant previously claimed he was given an ultimatum to dump his adult content creator girlfriend or lose his job. He chose his job – yet their relationship has now ended. Taylor previously told how she was left “blindsided” by the break-up. Meanwhile, Jamie took to Instagram to address the speculation that his relationship had ended. 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.” He claimed he doesn’t know what’s next for him but he knows he want to be a “better person.” However, the former bodybuilder appeared to hint in the caption of his post that he wants to rekindle things with his ex-wife Kate, 42, who he split from in November last year. Comment now