GLADIATORS was halted just minutes into the latest episode over a hilarious blunder during the first battle.
The hit BBC show returned for its third instalment of the second series, following its successful reboot last year.
Gladiators referee Mark Clattenburg halted the first game just minutes into the episode[/caption]
Steel and Phantom were taking on two new contenders for The Ring[/caption]
Mark tied Steel’s shoelaces for him before the game was restarted[/caption]
Bradley and Barney Walsh introduced the first battle called The Ring as Steel and Phantom took on the first two contenders.
However, just moments in the game was halted by head referee Mark Clattenburg.
As he blew his whistle, Mark could be heard telling Steel: “Your shoe, one minute.”
It then transpired the gladiator’s laces needed to be tied, and Mark gladly obliged him.
After the awkward exchange the game was then re-started with just 19 seconds on the clock.
Eagle-eyed Gladiators fans at home were left amused, with one writing: “You never forget your weekend job at Foot Locker.”
A second wrote: “Mark Clattenburg: referee and tier of Steel’s laces.”
“And here I thought they had better shoes this series, clearly not needing their shoelaces done up,” said a third.
While a fourth commented: “How cute was that. Doing his shoelace up.”
Gladiators narrator Guy Mowbray couldn’t help but make a cheeky dig at Mark, as he told viewers: “And to think in the Premier League we used to question his eyesight.
“Only joking, Mark.”
Gladiators continues on BBC One and iPlayer.
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club
Meet the Gladiators finalists
The Gladiators final takes place on Easter Saturday at 5.30pm on BBC One.
After ten gruelling weeks facing the superhuman Gladiators, four contenders have made it through to the grand final.
The Gladiators 2024 finalists are:
Finlay Anderson – Army officer Finlay, 34, from Edinburgh has made it to the final despite being injured in the quarter-final.
Wesley Male – Even though he joined in the quarter-final stage, part-time Leeds wrestler Wesley, 35, has proved a force to be reckoned with on the Gladiators gauntlet.
Bronte Jones – This 23-year-old firefighter from Sheffield is the youngest contender in the final.
Marie-Louise Nicholson – Hailing from Dublin, Marie-Louise, 28, is a fitness coach who has scored maximum points five times on Gladiators.
