Bradley and Barney Walsh faced several disgruntled comments from BBC viewers this past weekend after the father and son duo returned to host the Gladiators reboot.
The Walshes faced cries of “nepotism” from a number of viewers as many had grown tired of the relatively inexperienced Barney’s presenting skills.
While not his first TV gig, Gladiators is the first time Barney and his father have presented in front of a studio audience.
The pair became an on-screen duo thanks to ITV’s Breaking Dad but after just three episodes, Gladiators viewers think the presenting job is one step too far for Barney.
There were several talking points from Saturday’s episode as the remaining contenders vied for a spot in the quarter-finals – most notably Gladiator Viper cheating during one round and squaring up with referee Mark Clattenburg.
But several fans had their attention piqued by Barney and Bradley’s pieces to camera, including one user who slammed on X, formerly Twitter: “Sorry but Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh are just too cringe.
“Bradley Walsh wasn’t the right sort of fit for a younger audience show like this – him wandering around in a suit looking confused isn’t funny. And Barney Walsh is about as funny and interesting as glue #Gladiators.”
A second similarly hit out: “#Gladiators Every time Barney appears on screen he is so wooden he looks like a thunderbirds puppet.”
“Bradley and Barney’s jokes are a hit-and-miss #Gladiators,” another criticised before a fourth weighed in: “#Gladiators I love Bradley Walsh but for me, Barney isn’t working, he’s not a natural presenter, he looks out of his depth. I feel this is nepotism at its finest.”
Another expressed: “This presenter is an outstanding example of nepotism. How do they get away with this? The only thing that puts me off this show. #Gladiators.”
Don’t Miss
Even the week prior complaints had flooded, with one viewer saying last week: “Loving Gladiators but can’t get onboard with Barney. He looks so uncomfortable to me. Needed to be a female host. Feels really male-dominated #Gladiators #gladiatorsUK #bbc.”
And a second agreed earlier this month: “Watching the new #Gladiators, while a good comparison, it’s nothing on the original, and it’s a much much much better attempt than the #Sky version. And while I am a Bradley Walsh fan, it’s just got the wrong hosts – especially Barney. He is just so annoying.”
However, there was some praise for the pair, including another viewer who argued: “Absolutely love the new series of #gladiators.
“Memories of being a kid in the 90s come flooding back and on top, it just makes you smile. I even like Bradley and Barney presenting.”
And a second similarly hit back at the outrage: “This new series of #gladiators is pretty tidy. Don’t understand the hullabaloo about Bradley and Barney Walsh presenting. Doing a grand job imo.” (sic)
Most Read
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Holly Willoughby ‘SWEARS’ live on Dancing on Ice as fans convinced ITV host ‘dropped the F-bomb’
- Vicky McClure felt ‘like back had broke in half’ as she shares physical toll of ITV Trigger Point
- Holly Willoughby breaks silence with cryptic post after apology for ‘swearing’ on Dancing on Ice
BBC nepotism row: Bradley and Barney Walsh on Gladiators
BBC
The pair will be back to present another round of action next Saturday.
Meanwhile, Barney’s dad Bradley has faced criticism of a different kind after being featured heavily across both the BBC and ITV’s primetime schedule.
The long-serving The Chase host even prompted some viewers of Michael McIntyre’s Big Show to “switch off” last week when he made a guest appearance.
His CV boasts recent primetime appearances in Gladiators, The Chase Celebrity Specials, Blankety Blank, The Chase, The Larkins and many other guest cameos.
