Gladiators favourite Giant has confirmed he will not return to the hit Gladiators for its upcoming fourth series — and his words strongly suggest the decision was far from voluntary.
The fan-favourite, whose real name is James Bigg, shared a cryptic but emotionally charged message on Instagram, hinting that he was pushed into a situation that conflicted with his personal beliefs.
He wrote that being a Gladiator had been “one of the greatest honours of my life,” reflecting on the adrenaline of stepping into the arena, hearing the roar of the crowd, and representing strength and resilience. However, he made it clear that leaving the show was not his choice. He explained he had been “faced with a choice which did not align with my values,” adding that standing by his beliefs and his people was what truly defined being a role model.
The 40-year-old former bodybuilder and firefighter, who joined the show when it was revived in 2024, insisted he was proud of everything he gave to the programme. He also reassured fans that this moment marked a new beginning rather than an end, encouraging them to “stay strong” and “stand tall.”
A spokesperson for the show confirmed his departure, stating that after three powerful series, Giant would be leaving and thanking him for his contributions. Meanwhile, the show’s official social media paid tribute to his impact, praising not only his physical dominance in the arena but also his kindness and ability to inspire others, calling him “a true giant… in spirit as well as strength.”
But his exit comes with a complicated backdrop.
Back in 2024, resurfaced videos sparked headlines when Bigg openly discussed his past use of performance-enhancing substances during his bodybuilding career. At the time, he clarified that he had used them legally within the sport and had since stopped after retiring from competitive bodybuilding in 2022. He stressed that he no longer took steroids and did not promote their use.
The BBC later confirmed that all Gladiators were subject to strict drug testing and that results showed no use of performance-enhancing drugs during production.
Beyond the controversy, Bigg has also faced personal changes. Following a reported split from his wife in 2025, he revealed plans to reclaim his identity by changing his name back to his birth name in 2026 — a move he described as part of a fresh start.
Now, with his sudden exit raising more questions than answers, fans are left wondering what really happened behind the scenes — and whether this “values clash” is just the beginning of a much bigger story.
