Gladiators under the care of University of Bolton graduate

Alfie Martin has been playing a key part in the return of the hit 90s game show Gladiators.

The series returned to TV in January this year and Alfie has been working behind the scenes to keep the Gladiators in peak condition for the show.

For Alfie, who graduated from his BSc Sports Rehabilitation course at the School of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences in 2018, working on the very series he was glued to as a child has been a dream come true.

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He said: “Gladiators came out of the blue! I work in Sheffield Utilita Arena, where Gladiators was filmed and was approached by the show's media studio and of course immediately said yes.

"I thought, who wouldn't want to be a part of Gladiators?

Alfie behind the scenes (Image: University of Bolton)

“It was a show I used to religiously watch as a kid with my family every weekend. After a few phone calls with the producer, I was a part of the 2024 Gladiators reboot, which was pretty cool!”

He added: “There was a lot of soft tissue work and injury assessments throughout the weeks, and some pretty brutal injuries on both the Gladiators and contenders.

Alfie Martin working behind the scenes on Gladiators (Image: University of Bolton)

“It was tiring with long filming days, but I enjoyed every minute of it and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Thanks to his role on the show, Alfie has now had the chance to work with Gladiators Nitro, Electro, Diamond, Fire, Sabre, Fury and Viper.

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He said: “It was great meeting the Gladiators, and inspiring to hear how they gained their achievements and how that led them to do the show.”

Alfie now works as head of sports rehabilitation with Sheffield Steelers Ice Hockey team, but still speaks fondly of his time at the Deane Road based University of Bolton.

He said: “I enjoyed my course, albeit stressful at times, and made some lifelong friends along the way, one of which is my now fiancée, Olivia.

“I was provided every opportunity I needed to grow and learn my skills as a sports rehabilitator and I had supportive lecturers who found me placement opportunities which has massively helped the career path that I am currently on.”