Former Gladiators Referee John Anderson Dies Aged 92
Ian Aikman, BBC News
John Anderson, the renowned Scottish sports coach and iconic referee of the TV series “Gladiators,” has passed away at the age of 92. Anderson gained fame as the authoritative voice behind the catchphrases “Contender, ready!” and “Gladiator, ready!” during the show’s original ITV run from 1992 to 2000 and its brief 2008 revival on Sky.
Beyond his television role, Anderson’s legacy in sports coaching is profound. He coached over 100 Olympic athletes, including David Moorcroft, a former 5,000m world-record holder. Moorcroft praised Anderson’s coaching, stating, “I can’t speak highly enough of John… I’m certain that I would never have been a decent athlete if it wasn’t for John.”
The “Gladiators” production team expressed their sorrow in a statement quoted by the Press Association: “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 us ‘Gladiators Ready! Contenders Ready!'”
Mark Clattenburg, who succeeded Anderson as the referee for the current BBC series of “Gladiators,” honored Anderson’s legacy, calling him “one of the most iconic voices.” Clattenburg shared