BBC Gladiators star Giant has announced that he will not be returning for the show’s upcoming fourth season, hinting that the decision was not entirely his own.
The 40-year-old, real name James Bigg, shared the news on Instagram alongside photos from his time on the series, reflecting on his experience as a Gladiator.
“To my Gladiator family. I want to tell you all that I won’t be coming back for season 4 of the TV show. Being a Gladiator has been one of the greatest honours of my life,” he wrote.
He went on to describe the experience as deeply meaningful, adding that both the arena and the audience held a special place for him.
However, he also suggested there were circumstances behind his departure beyond his control.
“What I do want to make clear is this wasn’t a decision I made to step away,” he said. “I was faced with a choice that didn’t align with my values. And if you know me, you know this… I stand by my people and I stand by what I believe in.”
The official Gladiators Instagram account confirmed his exit, thanking him for his contribution to the show and praising his “strength and kindness,” adding: “Thank you Giant.”
A BBC spokesperson also confirmed the departure, saying: “After three formidable series, Giant is leaving Gladiators. We’d like to thank him for everything he has contributed to the show and wish him well for the future.”
His exit follows renewed attention on past bodybuilding-related videos resurfacing online, in which he discussed steroid use. Bigg later stated he stopped using them in 2022 and no longer supports them.
The BBC has previously stated that the show operates under a strict anti-doping policy, with all Gladiators undergoing testing and no performance-enhancing drugs detected.