The competitive spirit of Gladiators will be in full force this Christmas, but one professional competitor took the festive fight a step too far. During filming for the Celebrity Gladiators Christmas special, fitness icon Joe Wicks was on the receiving end of a savage blow that led to the disqualification of Gladiator Viper.
A Brutal Blow in the Arena
The incident occurred during the classic Duel challenge, where contestants face off using giant pugil sticks. According to Wicks, who was battling Viper (real name Quang Luong), the Gladiator struck him just before the starting whistle. "I got a full whack to the head and I couldn't recover," the 40-year-old told The Sun. "I got dizzy, everything flipped upside down."
Wicks described being hit a second time and falling, ultimately landing on his head. Despite the shock and disorientation, he felt compelled to get up quickly because his mother and children were watching. "I didn't want to look bad, but I could have laid there for a couple of minutes!" he admitted, saying he was left feeling "fuzzy." As a result of the premature and overly forceful hit, Viper was disqualified from the event.
Festive Line-Up and Broadcast Details
The special episode, set to bring some high-octane action to Christmas Day, features a star-studded celebrity lineup. Joining Joe Wicks MBE in the arena are Sam Thompson, boxing champion Nicola Adams OBE, and Vogue Williams. The show will be hosted once again by the father-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh.
Viewers can tune in to watch the festive showdown on BBC One at 3.35pm on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. The episode will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
A History of On-Screen Injuries
This is not the first significant injury in the revived series. In 2024, professional Gladiator Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey) sustained a serious knee injury that forced him to withdraw from the competition. He later recovered well enough to compete in Strictly Come Dancing in 2025.
The current BBC revival, which launched in 2024 with the Walshes as hosts, has proven a major hit, pulling in an average of 6.02 million viewers for its opening episodes. Its success has already led to the commissioning of a third series, scheduled to begin in January 2026.
The Celebrity Gladiators Christmas special promises all the usual explosive action, but Joe Wicks's experience serves as a stark reminder of the very real physical risks inside the iconic arena.
