BBC Gladiators: Record breaking Sheffield grandad tells of pride after battling Gladiators exit

Battling Sheffield grandad may have been beaten in Gladiators, but he now has a place in the record books

He was the oldest contestant ever to take part on Gladiators.

But Sheffield sales manager Paul Campbell, from Millhouses, has finally been knocked out of the show.

Paul, who was 57 when the show was filmed at Sheffield Arena, and is now aged 58, lost out to mechanic Dev, 30, from Essex for a place in the quarter finals of the BBC One show.

Paul Campbell, from Sheffield, became the oldest contender ever in Gladiators when he took part in the show aged 57placeholder image
Paul Campbell, from Sheffield, became the oldest contender ever in Gladiators when he took part in the show aged 57 | Paul Campbell

Barney Walsh, who presents the game show with his father Bradley Walsh, congratulated Paul on taking part before saying: "First off, I've got to say, oldest ever contender on Gladiators. I mean, you must be proud of yourself."

Paul, 57, said he was "very proud" of how he performed in the events.

Before the competition, the hygiene product salesman said: "I want to represent over-50s, knowing, listen, that anybody can do what I can do.

"I can't wait for my grandkids to see it and say: 'That's grandad.'"

He previously said the other contenders didn't believe him when he revealed his age.

He explained how he likes to keep fit and works out at the gym most days, runs, does yoga and boxes.

The dad-of-three, who has five grandchildren, said he was one of 15,000 people who applied to be on Gladiators and he was amazed to be chosen.

He described how he had a bit of fun on the show, even putting a call out for potential matches as he was single at the time of filming.

The 11-episode series is hosted by father-and-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh, with ex-Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg responsible for keeping the contestants and Gladiators in check.

Football commentator Guy Mowbray describes the action as contenders go head to head on apparatus old and new with the fresh line-up of Gladiators, including former Team GB sprinters.

Discussing the new series being filmed in Sheffield, Councillor Martin Smith, chair of Sheffield Council's Economic Skills and Development Committee, said earlier this year: "It's great to see a major TV production being filmed in Sheffield. It shows the rest of the media that as a city we're able to host large productions and it gives the city a bit of a buzz because, let's be honest, it's a bit of fun."

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