Gladiator Phantom criticizes lack of good role models

Toby Olubi, known as Gladiator Phantom, has spoken about the importance of role models, especially for young people. He believes there are not many good role models today. Olubi, 37, shared his experience on ITV's Good Morning Britain, mentioning how Gladiator Saracen inspired him when he was younger. He recalled seeing Saracen, played by Michael Lewis, at the gym in his early twenties. This experience made Olubi feel like a child again, realizing that he could achieve similar success. He emphasized that having positive figures to look up to is crucial for youth today. The BBC gameshow Gladiators features physical competitions between contenders and elite athletes, each representing fictional characters. The show first aired in the 1990s and has seen various revivals. Olubi, who competed in bobsledding at the 2018 Winter Olympics, joined Gladiators in 2023. He shared that bobsleigh teaches valuable lessons about facing fears and building character. He hopes the show encourages contenders to confront challenges in life, emphasizing the importance of resilience. The semi-finals of Gladiators will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday.