Gladiators fans go wild for stunning bodybuilder Diamond as she makes her debut in rebooted show: 'She's definitely this generation's Jet!'
Gladiators fans were taken back to the show's heyday in the mid-1990s on Saturday night after a new competitor entered the fray.
The show, once a Saturday evening program hosted by Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu, has been rebooted and relaunched by the BBC – 16 years after it was axed.
And viewers got an instant dose of nostalgia after the new Gladiator Diamond made its debut, prompting immediate comparisons to show icon Jet.
The fitness fanatic, who boasts a bicep size of 14 inches, was the first new Gladiator to appear after facing nurse Tasha Lawrence.
Diamond – real name Liv Sheldon – was introduced as '1.80 meters tall, a footballer turned bodybuilder who has all the attributes to be a duel winner' and 'can lift 160 kg, which is the equivalent of a gorilla '.
Gladiators fans were taken back to the show's heyday of the mid-1990s on Saturday night after new competitor Diamond (left) was compared to the iconic Jet (right)
The 6ft tall fitness fanatic, who boasts a bicep measurement of 36cm, was the first new Gladiator to appear after stepping up to nurse Tasha Lawrence.
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Watch Gladiators on BBC1. What a nostalgic look back. Nice so far with great presentation. Diamond is definitely the Jet of this generation!' [sic] wrote one.
A second added: '#Diamond the new Jet?'
While a third wrote: 'It takes something special to replicate that talent. Diamond is very promising!'
Elsewhere, a fourth viewer, apparently in awe of her imposing physique, wrote: “That diamond was CUT.”
While a fourth joked: 'Diamond is beautiful, isn't it?'
Viewers had already gotten a blast from the past during the end credits, when the original theme tune started rolling at 5:50 p.m., prompting one person to say it felt like “1995 all over again.”
The reboot was filmed at Sheffield's Utilita Arena and presented by funnyman Bradley Walsh and his son Barney, but despite new hosts, many praised the broadcaster for keeping the show close to the original format.
Diamond was introduced as “1.80 meters tall, a footballer turned bodybuilder who has all the attributes to be a duel winner” and can “lift 160 kg, which is the equivalent of a gorilla”.
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Jet was a key part of the show and featured in the original ITV version after its launch in 1993
The first of the eleven episodes found by viewers takes a trip down memory lane, with some getting very nostalgic and calling for other popular shows to return, including Blind Date and Noel's House Party.
One viewer who went to X wrote: 'I can't deny that I'm enjoying the new Gladiators show. Very similar to the classic 90's show. However, no one will be able to match Jet.'
A second said: 'I've always watched the original. I thought this would be the worst, given the way some media outlets were talking about it. No, I look and feel like a child again.'
A third added: 'Well done to the BBC for not messing with the format of #gladiators. this was a fantastic first episode!!”
Another user agreed: 'Thanks @BBCOne for keeping #gladiators exactly as it was. I'm excited to have this back!'
A fifth fan wrote: 'God I love these new #gladiators. It's exactly the same down to the last detail. 1995 all over again. I'm back at it forcing my little sister to pick a competitor to root for, and she won't tell me who she picked until they cross the finish line. Good comfort TV.'
Another enthusiastic viewer said: 'The #gladiators reboot is absolutely a success. Just perfect Saturday night fun. Now I'm going to watch Wheel of Fortune.'
Viewers got an instant dose of nostalgia after the new Gladiator Diamond made its debut
The muscular athlete received a raucous welcome to the returning show on Saturday evening