Vogue Williams has revealed the last-minute measure she had to undertake in order to take part in this year’s Celebrity Gladiators Christmas special.
Filmed before she entered the I’m A Celebrity jungle last month, Ms Williams joined Joe Wicks, Sam Thompson, Nicola Adams to take on the series of high-risk challenges in the one-off edition.
BBC Celebrity Gladiators: Joe Wicks, Nicola Adams, Bradley and Barney Walsh, Vogue Williams and Sam Thompson
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BBC
The quartet joined Bradley and Barney Walsh at Sheffield Arena earlier this year to see if any could emerge victorious against the show’s collection of muscle-bound Gladiators.
Fans will have to wait until Christmas Day to find out how Ms Williams and her co-stars got on, but ahead of the episode, the former model opened up about the experience.
BBC Celebrity Gladiators: Vogue Williams and Bradley Walsh
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BBC
On why she signed up to take on the project, she admitted: “Because it’s basically a childhood dream of mine.
“I watched the show growing up with my brother and sisters and I’ve just never thought that I would ever get a chance to do something like this that’s so incredible and fun.
“When you watch it on TV, you think ‘I could do that’ but it turns out it’s not so easy! I’ve always wanted to do the show and I have spent the entire time walking around the arena smiling all day.
“I feel like I didn’t want the day to be over. I really just want to do it all over again. It’s unbelievable and amazing.”
BBC Celebrity Gladiators: Vogue Williams and Barney Walsh
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BBC
However, Ms Williams nearly had to say no to the chance, admitting she pulled out all the stops in order to join this year’s festive line-up.
“I was actually supposed to be abroad, but I knew I had to do this show, so I changed my plans. I’d fly back from anywhere to do it,” she told the BBC.
While she may have U-turned on pre-planned engagements to take part, Ms Williams conceded the fast-paced nature of the process left her little time to physically prepare.
“I really didn’t have any time to train specifically, but I thought that I was fit and I should be okay, but the whole thing is intensive,” she said.
BBC Celebrity Gladiators: Vogue Williams
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BBC
“I love working out and going for runs, and I enjoy getting out and working out, but I would not say I am ‘Gladiator fit’!”
Ms Matthews will undoubtedly have been cheered on by husband Spencer Matthews and their three young children when she took on the Gladiators challenge earlier this year, especially given their reaction to hearing she was taking part.
“They were so excited, because the show was huge in Ireland back in the day and everybody grew up watching it and loved it, so everyone just thinks it’s really cool,” Ms Williams said of her family’s reaction.
“I didn’t get any words of advice, but I think it’s if you do something like this, you just have to enjoy it and be in the moment.
BBC Celebrity Gladiators: Vogue Williams is one of four celebs taking part
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BBC
“I’m lucky with who we’re doing it with as my fellow competitors are really nice and we all get on really well. It’s just been such a great experience.”
Mr Thompson was equally full of excitement when he told the BBC why he decided to say yes to the challenge.
“Who wouldn’t want to take part – it’s such an iconic, nostalgic show!” the Made in Chelsea star said.
“Celebrity Gladiators is a bucket list item ticked. I used to watch the show when I was a young kid and I think young Sam would not believe I am doing this, so I am over the moon to be taking part.”
Vogue Williams is married to Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews
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PAMr Wicks also admitted that the nostalgia connected to the show was a factor in his decision to sign up.
The fitness enthusiast said: “Being a kid in the 90s means I have so many memories of Gladiators, so I wouldn’t want to miss this chance because it was such an iconic show for me growing up.
“I have all these memories of watching the Gladiators, thinking I’d love to be like that one day, so I couldn’t say no.
“Gladiators was one of the first times I saw physically strong people on TV, and they were role models and were so inspiring when was a kid. So I thought to do it myself and to be able to inspire other kids would be really epic.”
