{"id":55043,"date":"2024-02-15T13:41:50","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T13:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/?p=55043"},"modified":"2024-02-16T14:27:33","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T14:27:33","slug":"bbc-one-gladiators-sheffield-grandfather-to-inspire-generations-after-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/index.php\/2024\/02\/15\/bbc-one-gladiators-sheffield-grandfather-to-inspire-generations-after-exit\/","title":{"rendered":"BBC One Gladiators: Sheffield grandfather to inspire generations after exit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The oldest contestant to ever take part in the show, who has finally been eliminated, has said his mission is to ‘inspire’ future generations following his brave exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul Campbell, 58, from Millhouses Sheffield, but who was 57 when filming for the show took place, lost out to fellow contestant Dev, 30, from Essex for a spot in the quarter final stage of the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul said: “I want to inspire more than one person. I want to inspire thousands but one will do and one is a start. If I can inspire one person, then mission accomplished!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Filming for the BBC show took place at the Sheffield Utilita Arena in June 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“The contestants were all very confident in their own ability, but equally you see the Gladiators for the first time and you think ‘WOW<\/em>‘, maybe I’m not so confident,” said Mr Campbell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking on his experience from the show, Mr Campbell encouraged people to ‘go for it’ and to ‘aim for the stars’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The father-of-three, and grandfather to five grandchildren, said: “I was on the show on Saturday, and I’ve had so many people message and comment about my age, which I hope has inspired people.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The show, hosted by father and son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh, sees a new generation of Gladiators face off against contenders in a series of challenges, including fan favourite, ‘The Eliminator’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applications for BBC One\u2019s Gladiators surpassed 15,000, with over twenty competitors being chosen to compete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Competitors for the show include former Team GB sprinter and Olympic bobsledder Montell \u2018Fire\u2019 Douglas, who was a key member of the British team to hold the record for the fastest 100m sprint at 11.05 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Campbell, a 58 year-old hygiene product tradesman, was originally unaware that production of the show was starting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He thanked his niece for encouraging him to apply, saying: \u201cwithout my niece, I probably would never have got on the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I got lucky and I’m incredibly grateful to my family. I’ve learnt that people put people together and my family is important to me. We are all a unit,” added Mr Campbell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next episode of Gladiators is this Saturday, with previous episodes in the eleven-part series available via the BBC iPlayer app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WOW \ud83d\ude33

Jumping into the weekend with Nitro from #Gladiators<\/a>!

Watch #TheOneShow<\/a> live now \ud83d\udc49 https:\/\/t.co\/E0ltLR3fjF<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/bxhGGHIjhe<\/a><\/p>— BBC The One Show (@BBCTheOneShow) February 9, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>