Gladiators legend John Anderson has sadly passed away aged 92.
The show’s original referee, who appeared in the series from it’s 1992 debut until 2000 with a brief return in 2008, became famous for his now iconic catchphrase ‘Contenders ready, Gladiators ready’ – no cause of death was given.
The show’s offical X account said in a statement: We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved referee, John Anderson, at the age of 92′.
‘Our hearts go out to his friends and family. John will forever be remembered as the iconic voice that brought ‘Gladiators Ready! Contenders Ready!”.
As well his TV career Glaswegian born John also trained numerous Olympian runners including Dave Moorcroft who broke the 5000m record in 1982.
Gladiators star John Anderson has sadly passed away aged 92 (pictured on the show in 2008)
The show’s original referee, who appeared in the series from it’s 1992 (pictured) debut until 2000 became famous for his catchphrase ‘Contenders ready, Gladiators ready’
John also coached silver medalist Liz McColgan as well as Commonwealth heptathlete Judy Simpson, who would go on to appear as Gladiator Nightshade.
Paying tribute Dave told Athletics Weekly: ‘I can’t speak too highly of John, he turned water into wine’.
‘He would die for his athletes and he never took a step backwards. He was a fighter in everything he did. He coached me from the age of 16 and never took a penny. It cost him a fortune for the privilege of working for nothing.’
Meanwhile fans rushed to X, formerly Twitter, to pay their condolences writing: ‘Sad news tonight that the original Referee of Gladiators John Anderson has died. A true icon of the show and will be fondly remembered by all Gladiators Fans. RIP John and thanks for the memories X’.
‘Sad news he was the original ref of the show such a legend RIP John Anderson’: ‘RIP john Anderson to everyone one who watched you in the old gladiators and the second reboot you was a massive part to our child hood and will forever be in our hearts. hope you have it easy where ever you are now, and keep that voice in our minds’.
More wrote: ‘Oh no! John was a legend, sad news. R.I.P. John Anderson’: ‘Some sad news just in John Anderson has passed away Iconic referee of uk tv show gladiators one of the greats fun feud with both John and Wolf’: ‘RIP to the man, the myth, the legend, John Anderson’.
John made a brief return for Sky’s reboot (pictured) in 2008 (John with hosts Kirsty Gallacher and Ian Wright)
As well his TV career Glaswegian born John (pictured in 1997) also trained numerous Olympian runners including Dave Moorcroft who broke the 5000m record in 1982.
The show’s offical X account said in a statement: We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved referee, John Anderson, at the age of 92′
Fans rushed to X, formerly Twitter, to pay their condolences