Tickling scenes in "UK Gladiators"

UK Gladiators is a British television game show that originally aired from 1992 to 2000, with later revivals in 2008 and 2023. Inspired by the American Gladiators, the show featured contestants (known as “Contenders”) competing against elite athletes, the “Gladiators,” in a series of physically demanding challenges. These events tested strength, agility, endurance, and strategy, with the ultimate goal of reaching the final Eliminator obstacle course.

The show had multiple series, with its most notable run spanning eight seasons in the 1990s, followed by a short-lived reboot in 2008 on Sky One. The 2008 revival introduced a new lineup of Gladiators, including female warriors such as Battleaxe, Inferno, and Panther, each embodying power, skill, and showmanship. Despite the modernized format and fresh roster, the series lasted only two seasons before being canceled.

One of the most iconic Gladiators events was Hang Tough, where a Contender had to swing across a set of suspended rings while a Gladiator attempted to pull them down. While brute force and tactical positioning were the primary strategies, an unusual yet effective technique occasionally surfaced—tickling.

Contenders and Gladiators were not allowed to use either headlocks or tickling against each other, even though the latter happened frequently for comedic reasons.

Wikipedia

Tickling added a comedic element to the otherwise intense competition, often making for entertaining television moments. With their hands occupied gripping the rings, Contenders found themselves defenseless against a well-placed tickle from a Gladiator. Beyond the humor, tickling had a practical effect: it could trigger involuntary muscle reactions, disrupt the Contender’s focus, and weaken their grip, increasing the likelihood of a fall into the pool below. Whether used playfully or strategically, this unexpected maneuver became a memorable aspect of Gladiators, further highlighting the show’s mix of athleticism and entertainment.

Contents

1 Tickle scenes in “UK Gladiators” (2008)

Tickle scenes in “UK Gladiators” (2008)

S1X9 Celebrity Special

Enigma vs Glacier

During the challenge between Enigma (Jenny Pace) and Glacier (Bianca Gascoigne), the former succeeds in grabbing the latter’s rings by pulling her close to her. Once she is enveloped, she proceeds with one hand in a determined manner to tickle her underarms for a few seconds. Unfortunately, Glacier shows no effect, and after the challenge she confirms that Enigma attempted to tickle her, but that she is not ticklish under her arms.

Enigma herself confirms that tickling the armpits was one of her moves, taught to her by her colleague Wolf.

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Un post condiviso da Jenny Pacey (@jennypacey)

A GLADIATOR #ThrowbackThursday ! To my hang-tuff battle with @biancagascoigne1
which included an under arm tickle. A few people have messaged me saying they are watching the series! I loved being ENIGMA so much🖤 I might just pop my old costume on for our next #IGLive #workout ? pic.twitter.com/TUihawe9BY
— Jenny Pacey (@JennyPacey) April 16, 2020

S1X9 The Legends Strike Back

Legend vs Scorpio

During the challenge between Tempest (Lucy Boggis) and Scorpio (Nikki Diamond), the former grabs the latter and tries hard to make her fall. As Tempest tries forcibly to pull her off the rings, the woman resists. Although for a few seconds, the camera frames Tempest tickling her left hand under Scorpio’s armpits. In the next shot, the hands are not framed and it is unclear whether the tickling continued and whether it had any effect in loosening her opponent’s grip. Although it could be a fluke, from the context it appears to be an actual strategy by the gladiatrix to make her opponent yield.

Wolf vs Oblivion

During the challenge between (Wolf Michael Van Wijk) and Oblivion (Nick Aldis), the former taunts the latter in various ways, slapping him, plugging his nose, and tickling his armpits (Oblivion reacts with exaggerated facial expressions).

S2X9

Siren VS Kathryn

During the challenge between Siren (Ali Paton ?) and Kathryn Evans, the former grabs the latter and tries hard to make her fall: although she struggles vigorously, the woman clings to the rings. As a last resort, for a few seconds Siren proceeds to tickle her underarms, but the strategy does not pay off, and Kathryn remains in the air until time runs out.