John Anderson, the famous voice of the physical game show Gladiators in the 1990s and 2000s, passed away at 92. The official Gladiators Instagram account confirmed his death. Athletics Weekly reported that he died early on Sunday, July 28.
Anderson was the head official on Gladiators when it aired on ITV from 1992 to 2008. His unique voice is forever linked to the show in the UK. He also officiated a short-lived revival on Sky in 2008, and the BBC brought the show back earlier this year with great ratings.
The Gladiators’ official X account shared, “We are very sad to hear that our beloved referee, John Anderson, has passed away at 92. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. John will always be remembered as the iconic voice that brought us ‘Gladiators Ready! Contenders Ready!'”
Advertisement Before working on Gladiators, Anderson was a well-known track and field coach. He helped over 100 Olympic athletes, including Dave Moorcroft, who broke the world record for the 5000m race in 1982.
Anderson, who was added to the Coaching Hall of Fame in 2002, also coached Olympic heptathlete Judy Simpson, middle-distance runner Sheila Carey, and Liz McColgan, who won a silver medal in the 10,000m race in the 1988 Olympics.
Moorcroft was one of many to honor the famous sports coach.
“I can’t praise John enough,” Moorcroft told Athletics Weekly. “He worked miracles. At our club (Coventry Godiva), we never had anyone break four minutes for the mile. But with John’s coaching, I did it, and so did Tim Redman, Colin Ridding, and Steve James.
“None of them would say they were world-class, but John brought out the best in everyone. I’m sure I wouldn’t have been a good athlete without John. He didn’t just train me; he took a shy kid who didn’t believe in himself and made me and others believe we could do great things.”
“He would do anything for his athletes and never gave up. He was a fighter in everything he did. He coached me from the age of 16 and never took any money. It cost him a lot, but he did it for free.”
New Gladiators referee Mark Clattenburg also honoured Anderson on social media.
“He had one of the most iconic voices and will always be remembered, following him in the new series of Gladiators was very tough. I’ll always remember how he kept the Gladiators in line. Rest in peace, LEGEND!”
he wrote
Gladiator Rhino added, “Your smile, voice, and energy were the best. You were the true backbone of Gladiators. My deepest condolences to your family.”
New Gladiator Giant also commented, “Rest in peace, John.”
Source: Deadline