HIT new BBC series Gladiators was rocked last night after its biggest star was forced to admit to using dangerous steroids.
The videos — including one titled “Take This and You’ll Get Big” — show the former firefighter talking about Class C muscle-strengthening drugs that can lead to heart attacks, kidney failure and psychiatric trauma.
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Muscle gladiator star Giant is forced to admit to using dangerous steroids. Credits: PA
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A YouTube video reveals Giant discussing the use of anabolic steroids to build muscleCredit: YouTube
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The revelations proved to be a nightmare for BBC bosses amid a successful reboot of Gladiators
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Giant says he no longer takes steroids and that all gladiators are drug tested. Credit: BBC
The 6ft 5in giant, real name Jamie Christian-Johal, boasts “phenomenal gains”.
And in a Facebook post, he says he weighed 200lbs in 2009 and is now expected to reach 310lbs.
BBC bosses went into crisis mode when we alerted them to the videos which were still available yesterday.
Insiders said the Gladiator’s “disastrous” appearance on the recently reinstated Saturday night show claimed steroids were in order.
One source said: “This is a nightmare for the BBC.
“It’s a family show and somehow they didn’t notice this material from its biggest star.
“Fans could find his steroid advice by simply searching his name on Google.”
The show, which airs today at 5.50pm, attracted 6.4 million viewers for its premiere last Saturday.
But parents of young fans will be particularly concerned about the steroid revelations.
Gladiators stars were said to be frequently drug-tested and questioned about their use of performance-enhancing drugs before signing up – but somehow the Giant’s videos slipped through the cracks.
In one YouTube clip, the married father from Derbyshire declares: “I didn’t start taking steroids until I was 24.”
Giant, 37, told The Sun he was leaving them at the end of 2022.
He said: “I have always been open and transparent about my steroid use when I was a professional bodybuilder.
“During that time I have been outspoken about the legal use of performance enhancements as a competitive bodybuilder and how to use them safely.
“I stopped competing as a bodybuilder in October 2022 and responsibly got off steroids.
“I am no longer a professional bodybuilder and I no longer take steroids or advocate their use.”
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BBC bosses failed to find videos of Giant during Gladiators background check Credit: Instagram
Anabolic steroids are class C drugs that can only be dispensed by pharmacists with a prescription.
They are allowed to use, but illegal to sell, even to friends.
The penalty is an unlimited fine or imprisonment for up to 14 years.
Side effects of anabolic steroids can include reduced sperm count, infertility, shrunken testicles, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, breast development, and an increased risk of prostate cancer.
In the “Take This and Get Big” video, Giant talks about how rampant steroid abuse is in competitive bodybuilding.
Sitting next to an amateur bodybuilder, he says, “I’ve already had eight years of training and I’ve already competed twice. And I got some phenomenal gains from it.”
But he says training, diet and lifestyle play a bigger role.
He adds: “I know a lot of guys who take a lot of drugs and are small and out of shape.”
Among the viewers was a 16-year-old student who commented: “Very good video with educational discussions.”
Giant also appears at least twice in the “guide to steroids” section of the bodybuilding training website, trainedbyjp.com
He discusses their takeover on his Facebook page, where he has 9,500 followers.
In a post from March 2022, he wrote: “In 2009 i was 200lbs at stage fast forward to 2022 some 13 years later im predicting a stage weight of 310 some 110lbs of muscle later.
“For many years, I would accumulate 10 pounds of extra weight on stage a year, something considered almost impossible.”
Before announcing to Gladiators, he said: “I feel like everything in life has led me here.
“It’s an honor to be a part of this iconic series that I watched as a child.”
Among the new Gladiators, “Bionic” Matty Campbell is a bodybuilder “Viper” Quang Thanh Luong is a bodybuilder and actor.
“Legend” Matt Morsia underwent an online drug test and insists he has always been clean.
Zack George, who plays Steel, is a cross-fit social media star, “Phantom” Toby Olubi was a Team GB bobsledder, “Nitro” Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was a sprinter and “Apollo” Alex Gray is a former rugby player.
The BBC said: “The Gladiators production team were firm in their no-drugs policy and drug testing was part of the process that all Gladiators agreed to and adhered to.
“The results showed that they were not taking performance-enhancing drugs.”
Drugs damage the heart and brain
TAKING too many anabolic steroids can damage the heart, liver and brain, experts say.
The drugs, which are illegal to possess or import, are usually injected into a muscle or taken orally in pill form.
Some come as creams or gels that are applied to the skin.
They increase muscle mass and decrease fat, but side effects can include heart attack, liver or kidney failure, and high blood pressure.
Erectile dysfunction, shrunken testicles and an increased risk of prostate cancer can result in men.
In women, side effects include facial hair growth, severe acne, and menstrual problems.
People who take steroids as teenagers can stunt their growth.
January is the month when people are most likely to pick up the habit, mostly men in their late teens to early 30s who have been influenced by social media.
Sun on Sunday GP Jeff Foster warned users they were playing a deadly game.
He said: “When I started going to the gym 25 years ago, steroids were used by extreme bodybuilders or athletes and loners at the back of the car park.
“They are now readily available, and the numbers using them are absolutely huge.”
Concerned Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament, will discuss steroid abuse with Sports Minister Stuart Andrew on Tuesday.
He said between 500,000 and 1 million Britons use performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs).
He said: “Youngsters are learning about steroids online and through social media on Instagram and TikTok.
“Shows like Gladiator will also have an impact because young men will always want to look better and think they can quickly imitate the people they see on TV.
“Steroids are psychologically addictive, but users don’t see themselves as drug addicts because they live clean lives.”
‘Hell of infertility after taking 12 years’
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Gideon Lound suffered from fertility problems after taking steroids.
COMPUTER engineer Gideon Lound used steroids for 12 years from the age of 18, which led to fertility problems.
Gideon, now 35, from Maidstone, Kent, said: “I was taking 500mg of testosterone a week and one Dianabol tablet a day.
“I played cricket at state level for years and there was an element of getting an advantage, but really it was just vanity and wanting to take a shortcut.
“In three months I gained two and a half stone, and 75 percent was muscle.
“Unfortunately, I developed acne on my back and chest and my water retention was pretty bad.”
He and wife Kathryn, 32, are now resorting to IVF treatment.
He said: “The big side effect was infertility.
“Bodybuilding was my main goal for so many years and now I see it just wasn’t worth it.”
‘Abuse widespread in the world of bodybuilding’
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Gym owner Jay Atkins says there is no way to make steroid use safe
GYM owner Jay Atkins, 49, from Maidstone, said: “Something has to be done because there are so many steroid users in the UK.
“Steroids are imported from China and people use them in their own homes, which is far from the clinical ideal.
“Users do not know what they are taking and there are huge health consequences.
“There is no way we can make this any safer.
“There are several high-profile deaths every year.
“The biggest guy at the gym will give you his version of the science and how to use it safely, but it’s not the same as talking to a doctor.
“I competed as a bodybuilder and that’s even in natural competition.
“There are ways to get around any drug test.
“Steroids are incredibly dangerous when abused.”
Wolf sting drug
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Former Gladiator Wolf says ’90s stars were rigorously testedCredit: ITV
GLADIATOR legend Wolf has revealed how the show’s original stars were subjected to rigorous drug testing.
The TV villain, real name Michael Van Wijk, claims they were even involved in an undercover drug investigation.
He told The Sun: “We are drug tested and if you don’t pass you get a written warning.
“If you fail a second time, you’d be fired.”
The bodybuilder, now 71, claims: “Someone stops us outside the studio to force us to buy drugs.
“We refused. They were trying to set people up.
“We are tested regularly.
“Testers would show up at your house and at the show.
“No advance notice was given.”
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education