BBC ‘faces nightmare’ after Gladiators star Giant ‘admits to taking dangerous steroids’ in past-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

Gladiators star Giant has admitted to using steroids in the past (Picture: BBC)

Gladiators star Giant has admitted to taking steroids in the past, throwing the BBC into a ‘nightmare’, insiders say.

The contender, real name Jamie Christian, has joined the likes of Fury, Sabre and Steel on the revival series, hosted by father-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh.

The original competition, which ran from 1992 to 2000, was allegedly rocked by drugs scandals, with Shadow, real name Jefferson King, said to have tested positive for cocaine and steroids for seven months before being axed, according to his co-star Cobra.

Gladiators for the new series were said to be undergoing routine drug testing, but Giant has now admitting to using them in the past.

He told The Sun: ‘I have always been open and transparent about my use of steroids whilst I was a professional bodybuilder.

‘During that time, I spoke openly about the legal use of performance enhancements as a competitive bodybuilder and how to safely administer them.

The former firefighter and bodybuilder ‘responsibly came off steroids’ in October 2022 (Picture: PA)

‘I stopped competing as a bodybuilder in October 2022 and responsibly came off steroids.

‘I am no longer a professional bodybuilder and am no longer taking steroids and do not advocate the use of them.’

An insider has also told the publication: ‘This is a nightmare for the BBC.’

‘It’s a family show and they’ve somehow not spotted this material from its biggest star,’ the source added, referencing alleged videos in which Giant speaks about building muscle.

He’s part of the new line-up of superhumans for the BBC reboot (Picture: BBC / James Stack / © Hungry Bear Media Ltd)

Anabolic steroids, class C drugs, can only be issued by pharmacists with a prescription, according to the NHS, and can cause serious side effects and addiction.

The physical effects in men of regularly taking anabolic steroids can include reduced sperm count, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, increased risk of prostate cancer and stomach pain, it’s warned.

People who take anabolic steroids can develop medical conditions including blood cots, liver or kidney problems or even failure, and a heart attack or stroke.

Ahead of the reboot airing, it was claimed the new Gladiators would undergo routine drug testing as the BBC were keen to keep the reboot ‘clean as a whistle’.

Giant stands at an incredible 5’6” build and weighs 287lbs (Picture: Instagram / giantthegladiator

It was reported that application forms for Gladiators hopefuls asked: ‘Have you ever used performance-enhancing drugs?’ and specified: ‘All Gladiators/contenders will be subject to routine drug testing.’

Giant, who scored his Gladiators name thanks to his incredible 6’5” build, and weighs 287lbs, said, when he was announced as part of the new line-up: ‘I feel like everything in life has lead me here.

‘I’m honoured to be part of this iconic show that I watched as a child.

‘I’ll be bringing my Giant stature and personality so contenders better come prepared!’

Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Giant, Gladiators and the BBC for comment.

Gladiators airs Saturdays at 5.50pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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