Viewers of tonight’s Gladiators have slammed one strong-willed contestant who ran the eliminator despite suffering an injured hamstring in an early round.
This came as Series 2 of the BBC revival broke its own records – with rival competitor Joe smashing the same challenge, completing the course in an astonishing 1 minute 3 seconds flat.
Earlier in the episode, powerhouse competitor Poppy also dominated the Hang Tough hoops by earing the full 10 points – leaving her Gladiator opponent in the dust.
However, it was the performance of wounded warrior Junior who had viewers talking – after suffering a brutal hamstring injury earlier in the show.
For a while, it looked as though Junior wouldn’t be able to participate in the Eliminator – however,he pressed on, and faced off against Joe during the final round.
A brave decision, but one that viewers felt was, ultimately, the wrong one.
Writing on social media as the final challenge began, viewers shared their thoughts on Junior’s powerhouse performance.
‘I feel like Junior has done more damage to himself. He completed it tho,’ wrote CharBucks22.
‘Who on Earth advised Junior to do this with a dodgy hamstring,’ saidLichfieldwolfy.
‘There’s pride, but that was bordering on stupidity… 😳😳😳’ Mysteron_Voice added.
‘Its not worth wrecking your leg for mate if that hamstring is hanging. Trust me on this,’ survivinthe20s advised.
However, others were more impressed by Junior’s determination, rightfully praising his resilience and competitor’s spirit in the face of pain and injury.
‘have so much respect for Junior, even though he didn’t win. he knew everything was against him, because of the hamstring, even though he knew winning was unlikely he was determined to see it through, until the end,’ said JodiePortugal.
‘Well done Joe beating the fastest eliminator time and well done Junior for going all the way in that eliminator with a hamstring injury. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻’ clapped Dan240993.
‘go on junior !!!’ cheered imagineremss.
Junior’s injury came as he took on feared Gladiator Apollo in The Ring – a vicious tackle seeing his legs buckle and his hamstring give way.
Limping away as judges called the event to a halt (cue a scream of frustration from Junior’s dad) he was checked out by the show’s doctors, who determined that he had indeed injured his hamstring.
‘It is my hamstring, yeah,’ Junior said, speaking to host Bradley Walsh in the aftermath.
‘Just a big old pop. I was trying to dance with Apollo and, yeah. I’m just so scared of him that I want to have a sit down,’ he joked.
As one of the BBC revival’s new additions to the show, The Ring has provedto be one of its more perilous games; seeing Gladiators aggressively tackle Competitors in an attempt to stop them from pressing a point-scoring button.
But, even by the show’s standards, this one seemed particularly violent.
‘That round of the ring looked more vicious than before,’ commented RossDeku on X.
Clearly neither fear nor injury put Junior off from taking on Joe on the Eliminator. But between his injuries and Joe’s three second head start, he never really stood a chance.
Joe flew through the Eliminator, speeding up the Travelator section to finish in barely a minute.
Junior, meanwhile, managed to finish the course, diving head-first through the final hurdle. It wasn’t enough to bring him the win, but his completing the course was, to Junior at least never in doubt.
Elsewhere, Poppy faced off against co-competitor Stacey to win her own well-deserved place in the semi-finals, where she’ll join Joe and previous heats winners.
Gladiators airs Saturdays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: Doctor Who and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet star Maya Woolfe dies aged 72
MORE: The end confirmed for EastEnders’ biggest ever legend
MORE: BBC star welcomes second baby aged 51 after ‘surprise labour and devastating journey’
