CHALLENGE Show Ninja Warrior launched on ITV in 2015, Gladiator fans were delighted by its similarities to the now-defunct family favourite.

It had the same grueling climbs, hair-raising jumps and an almost impossible ascent to the finish line of Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu’s 90s classic.

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But those echoes proved to be the downfall Chris Kamarahis doppelganger.

I can reveal that ITV was forced to spin Ninja Warrior as a reboot of gladiator destroyed it in the ratings.

A source said: “For years Ninja Warrior has been one of ITV’s biggest shows and has brought together all those families who missed Gladiators.

“Ben Shepard, Rochelle Humesand Kammy made the series a huge success.

“But when BBC revived Gladiators last year, sounded the death knell for ITV’s ninjas. It was an absolute ratings champ, attracting more than six million viewers compared to 1.6 million for Ninja Warrior’s last series in 2022.

“Therefore, a decision has been made to put Ninja Warrior to rest for good.”

Gladiators will return to the BBC for a second series early Next year and will include a celebrity special.

The first Ninja Warrior series finale in May 2015 drew 4.08 million viewers, its best performance in February 2017 at 4.18 million.

After series five, the series took a three-year hiatus before returning in September 2022 with a new Race For Glory format of head-to-head racing against professional warriors.

A bit like Gladiators…

Thanks, but no boards

It’s the thrilling, jittery opening of I’m A Celebrity, which proved too terrifying for many household names.

But I can reveal that this year’s campers, including Wag Coleen Rooney and boxer Barry McGuigan, won’t have to Walk The Plank as bosses have canceled the trial.

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CHALLENGE we saw celebrities teetering along a plank suspended from the 100m high Focus Building in Surfer’s Paradise, Australia.

But producers have decided to shake things up this year and are replacing her with a new challenge – which they insist is just as scary.

A show source said: “Bosses are remaining tight-lipped about what they have lined up to replace the plank, but rest assured it will be equal parts terrifying and exciting.

“They’re going all out to make sure the show has a spectacular launch that viewers won’t want to miss.”

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Walk The Plank was featured in the 2017 curtain raiser episodes.

Made In Chelsea star and former queen of the jungle Georgia Toffolo was among the first to take it over. Last year, the plank was replaced by a pole for the challenge, which had EastEnders actress Danielle Harold screaming in terror.

But one star who won’t be sad to see it go is Loose Women’s Charlene White – who was stuck on the edge of the board for 45 minutes while a fellow camper Babatunde Aleshe had a meltdown and then dropped the challenge in 2022.

ITV will have to have something really good up their sleeve to compete with that.

Weddy for Wolf Hall

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WHEN Wolf Hall returns this weekend, the action will pick up right where things left off.

A teaser watch the first minutes of BBC One the drama, which returns on Sunday at 21:00, returns to the scenes of Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn in the last episode in 2015.

And interspersed with the brutal footage of her execution is the first look at Damian Lewis returning as King Henry VIII as he marries his third wife Jane Seymour, played by Kate Phillips.

Meeting Mark Rylance as the power-hungry, social-climbing Oliver Cromwell, Thomas Brodie-Sangster’s Rafe Sadler asks after the execution, “Did it have to be this, this bloody?”

To which Oliver replies, “When negotiation and compromise failsthen the only way is to destroy your enemy before he wakes up in the morning, ax in hand.”

The new series will also see the return of Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Wolsey and Lilit Lesser as the young Princess Mary.

Witness the arrival of Maggie

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Two new faces join the cast Silent witness as it prepares to return in 2025.

The new series will focus on a disturbing mystery that sees an elderly woman found dead in a cave.

Rival actress Maggie Steed will play Harriet Maven, the new head of the Lyell Centre, while The Witcher: Blood Origin actress Francesca Mills portrays her. crime analyst Kit Brooks.

Maggie said: “I’ve enjoyed it many times over the years and it’s always been the most intriguing series so it was a thrill to join.”

It comes shortly after it was confirmed that the drama series, which airs on BBC One and iPlayer, has been given the go-ahead for a 29th series before the 28th airs.

The finale of the last series, which plays Emilia Fox and David Caves as medical examiners Nikki and Jack ended on a cliffhanger when the two got engaged.

BEEB has ignited another series of Garden Rescue. introducer Charlie Dimmock will help restore more outdoor space after signing up for the hit show again in 2025.

A source said: “Execs have ordered an 11th series before its final series airs.”

Office? Not on my watch

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The office is one of the most successful sitcoms, watched and loved by millions of people around the world.

But a man who avoided adapting to the BBC Nighties comedy was one of its biggest stars – Mackenzie Crook. The actor – who played workplace nerd Gareth Keenan – used to stop him because he couldn’t bear to witness his own performance.

he said Virgiein Radio UK: “It was the office that opened all the doors for me and I can trace that back to time.

“I don’t know if I could for a while after that, because I saw myself as an actor, everyone else seems to be completely natural.

“I’m lucky to have been given all the opportunities to do what I’ve done.”