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What are the original Gladiators doing now? Stars reunite on Good Morning Britain


GLADIATORS fans were left staggered when the stars of the hit 90s series appeared on Good Morning Britain today (October 31, 2019) – looking almost unrecognisable.

The original gang – including Hunter, Cobra, Panther, Jet and Lightning – held an on-air reunion and viewers couldn’t believe how they’d changed since the show’s airing…

 Cobra squeezed into a Lycra outfit on Good Morning Britain

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Cobra squeezed into a Lycra outfit on Good Morning BritainCredit: Rex Features
 He was famous for his back-flips as cheeky Cobra in the 90s

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He was famous for his back-flips as cheeky Cobra in the 90sCredit: Rex Features

It has been 27 years since the show first appeared on ITV in 1992, quickly becoming a Saturday night fixture that ran until the year 2000.

Among the stars who made their return to the channel today were 55-year-old Cobra – aka Michael Willson – who came dressed in a Lycra outfit bearing his name.

The Sun Online revealed earlier this year that he had been hospitalised with pneumonia after destroying his body with “insane workouts”.

He was joined by Panther star Helen O’Reilly, who is now 58, and fan favourite Jet, who was played by Diane Youdale, now 49.

 Panther star Helen O'Reilly was delighted to be reunited with her old pals

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Panther star Helen O’Reilly was delighted to be reunited with her old palsCredit: Rex Features
 Posing in Panther-branded Lycra back in the 90s

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Posing in Panther-branded Lycra back in the 90sCredit: Rex Features
 Hunter star James Crossley clearly still goes to the gym

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Hunter star James Crossley clearly still goes to the gymCredit: Rex Features
 The lad flexing his muscles in the show's heyday

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The lad flexing his muscles in the show’s heydayCredit: Rex Features

They appeared alongside Hunter legend James Crossley, 46, and Lightning star Kim Betts, 47.

Asked if the show could ever return, Panther insisted: “There is a demand for it. But I am 58, I don’t know if I am a bit past it.”

She then pointed at Cobra, and said: “He’s got a walking stick and two new hips.”

GMB host Ben Shephard asked: “Obviously we all recognise you and we all know you. Are you still called Jet? Are you still called Hunter?”

 Kim Betts - aka Lightning - on Good Morning Britain today

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Kim Betts – aka Lightning – on Good Morning Britain todayCredit: Rex Features
 Lightning posing in skimpy sportswear and chunky trainers on Gladiators

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Lightning posing in skimpy sportswear and chunky trainers on GladiatorsCredit: Rex Features
 Jet star Diane Youdale still looks great aged 49

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Jet star Diane Youdale still looks great aged 49Credit: Rex Features
 The fan favourite left Gladiators after getting a neck injury

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The fan favourite left Gladiators after getting a neck injuryCredit: Rex Features

Hunter explained: “A lot of male Gladiators were called Mike. So if you said ‘Mike’, everybody turned around.

“Everyone used to think that we were from the planet Glad. So when kids would come around it would be like ‘Cobra! Lightning!’ and the kids would be like: ‘Wow!'”

Lightning added: “Even when I message them it’s like: ‘Hey Jet, Cobra, Hunter…’ I never call them their own name.”

The stars’ appearance sparked a wave of nostalgia among viewers – many of whom called for Gladiators to return to ITV.

 The stars posed with Richard Arnold dressed as a referee

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The stars posed with Richard Arnold dressed as a refereeCredit: Rex Features
 The star were interviewed by Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid

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The star were interviewed by Ben Shephard and Susanna ReidCredit: Rex Features

Fans tweeted the likes of: Bring it back! It was great fun to watch” and “It would be great to see something decent on a sat night.”

But several were shocked at how much the stars had aged – despite the intervening decades.

One gasped: “Cobra’s face has completely changed.”

Cobra from TV show Gladiators is seriously ill in hospital after ‘destroying’ his body with insanely tough workouts





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