Contenders, ready - Gladiators is making a comeback. Sky has announced it is to air a revival of the hit TV series in May, and it's not only in the UK that TV bosses have decided that the contest is worth a revisit - it is also back on air in the US.

First broadcast in Britain on October 10th 1992, the UK version of Gladiators soon became a cult hit thanks to the antics of the Wolfman and the staring eyes of Shadow. The latter, of course, was kicked off the show early doors after being accused of taking drugs by a newspaper - and making national headlines in the process - although the former was ever-present in the first run right up until when the last episode was broadcast in January 2000.

However, the line-up of Gladiators for the new series is not yet known, although what has been established is that Ian Wright and Kirsty Gallacher are to take over presenting duties. Of course (as if any anyone needed reminding) Gladiators was originally hosted by John Fashanu and Ulrika Jonsson. Jonsson was notable for the fact that she had an affair with a Gladiator called Hunter, while Fashanu was conspicuous for his exuberance and his quite brilliant catchphrase Awooga! Ian Wright, although lacking a catchphrase, seems an ideal replacement for Fashanu (he may not be coherent as a pundit for BBC Sport, but he has bundles of energy), and Gallacher certainly has all the necessary credentials given her background as winner of celebrity sport challenge The Games. Commenting on the development, Wright, in one of his calmer moments, said: "Gladiators is a great show and I am thrilled to be involved.

"Since people first heard it was coming back, the response has been phenomenal and I am so excited that a new generation get to experience it."

Thankfully, there is also room for tradition. John Anderson, the esteemed referee who made whistles fashionable, is back for more. He has spent the last eight years training international athletes, but has agreed to referee the competition when it resumes in May. He also designed the fitness tests that have been used to sort the wheat from the chaff and establish the line-up of contestants for the new series. According to one report in the Times, the tests were spectacularly arduous and left the writer with little dignity on a mat, using all his energy to prevent himself from being sick and being shouted at by muscled men to "feel the burn". Set the TV guide. Threeee, twwooo, onneee, Awooga!