About Contender Ready: An Unofficial Gladiators Podcast
Comedian Jessica Fostekew and Olympic weightlifter Emily Campbell bring you the funniest, cleverest and most reverent TV-show side-podcast you’ve ever heard or seen. Each week they’ll look at the latest episode of Gladiators with a joyful but also analytical eye. Picking out their most awesome and dramatic moments of both comedy, competition and athleticism.
They will also be joined by one of their many superstar friends from the world of comedy and sport to get their insight on the show, and listen to all their Gladiator stories and feelings from childhood through to today!
Hosted by Jessica Fostekew (QI, Live at the Apollo, Travel Man, The Guilty Feminist, Radio 4) and Emily Campbell (Olympic Silver Medallist, GB Weightlifter).
Produced by Plosive.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
After an incredible final, Emily and Jessica were lucky enough to chat to Gladiators winner, Contender Amanda Wah!
Amanda shares the low down on her experience competing in The Toughest Game Show on Earth.
Find Amanda at her Warrington gym www.momentumcollective.co.uk (www.momentumcollective.co.uk), and follow her on socials @amandawahfitness.
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
16 Apr 2025
Gladiators Grand Final with Lucy Porter
It’s the GRAND FINAL of Gladiators series two, and the series finale of the Contender Ready podcast! Emily and Jessica celebrate the win of our two new Gladiators champs.
They’re joined by a comedian and fellow Gladiators obsessive, Lucy Porter aka MAMMOTH.
To keep up with Lucy's next live stand-up dates head to www.lucyporter.co.uk (www.lucyporter.co.uk), and follow Lucy on Instagram @lucyportercomic.
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
9 Apr 2025
Gladiators Second Semi-Final with Nabil Abdulrashid (and Contender Amanda!)
After a long wait, it's the second semi-final! We see injuries, victories and what Jessica likes to call "The Battle of the Kind Kings".
They’re joined by comedian and MMA enthusiast Nabil Abdulrashid, aka SMILE.
Ahead of the grand final, we also have a very special chat with FINALIST Contender Amanda Wah, and Contender Zavia Hill gives us the low down on her injury - here (https://www.instagram.com/p/DIGJXnwsmrb/)'s her video explaining what happened.
Nabil is on tour with his brand new stand-up show Urban Battuta. For tickets and information head to https://www.nabilabdulrashid.com (https://www.nabilabdulrashid.com/).
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
26 Mar 2025
Gladiators First Semi-Final with Cariad Lloyd
This week it's the first semi-final - another battle of the Joes and the best Powerball we've ever seen.
They’re joined by author, improviser and comedian Cariad Lloyd, aka ALLERGY.
See Cariad live in improvised Jane Austen show Austentatious. For dates and tickets head to https://www.austentatiousimpro.com.
Her children's picture book Where Did She Go? (https://cariadlloyd.com/where-did-she-go-pre-order) is out 8 May 2025. Available to pre-order now.
And listen to her podcast Sara & Cariad's Weirdos Book Club wherever you get your podcasts.
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
19 Mar 2025
Gladiators Last Quarter-Final with Rudy (aka Jessica's son)
It's the third and final quarter-final (yes, we know) and we find out who will make it to next week’s semis. We also catch up with everyone’s favourite Glad... *checks notes* Knitro.
They’re joined by very special guest, Jessica's son and Legend superfan, Rudy aka G.O.A.T.
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
12 Mar 2025
Gladiators Second Quarter-Final with Chloe Petts
It's our second quarter-final and the Contenders are battling it out for a place in the semis.
They’re joined by comedian and Gladiators convert, Chloe Petts aka DYKE.
After a sell out run, Chloe's stand-up show How You See Me, How You Don't will return to the Soho Theatre from 9th June-14th June. For tickets and information head to sohotheatre.com (https://sohotheatre.com/events/chloe-petts-how-you-see-me-how-you-dont/).
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
5 Mar 2025
Gladiators First Quarter-Final with Helen Glover
This week got to see what Jessica has dubbed 'The War of the Lovely Boys’, as some of our favourite Contenders return for the first quarter-final.
Jessica and Emily are joined by Olympic rower and Gladiators super-fan, Helen Glover aka BLADE.
We also hear a voicenote from Hull comedian Amy Gledhill aka THE PROCRASTINATOR.
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das and Naomi Parnell for Plosive.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
26 Feb 2025
Gladiators Episode 5 with Stephen Bailey
This week we meet our final set of new Contenders battling it out for a place in the quarter finals, and you bet Jessica and Emily have a lot to say about it.
They’re joined by comedian, boxer and future Celebrity Gladiators winner, Stephen Bailey aka THE PEACOCK.
Stephen is going on tour with his brand new stand-up show TART. For tickets and information head to www.stephenbaileycomedy.co.uk (https://www.stephenbaileycomedy.co.uk/).
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das and Naomi Parnell for Plosive.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
19 Feb 2025
Gladiators Episode 4 with Harriet Kemsley
Gladiators was back on our screens on Saturday with the final heat (we think!) before the quarter finals. How many Joes will make it through to the quarters? Emily and Jess discuss.
They’re joined by comedian and snowboarder extraordinaire, Harriet Kemsley aka CHAOS.
Harriet is on tour with her stand-up show Everything Always Works Out For Me. For tickets and information head to harrietkemsley.com (http://harrietkemsley.com).
And listen to Harriet's podcast Single Ladies In Your Area wherever you listen.
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.
Photo by Linda Blacker.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
12 Feb 2025
A Look Through the Official Gladiators TV Companion Book
No Gladiators fix this week? No problem. We've got you covered.
With no TV episode out this week, Jessica has taken it upon herself to do some homework, so she and Emily leaf through The Official TV Companion Book and share some of the best (and weirdest) facts.
Which Gladiator eats birthday cake for breakfast? Why does one Gladiator hate the Gauntlet? And who is a five times winner of the *checks notes* World Coal Carrying Championships?
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.
Photo by Matt Crockett.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
5 Feb 2025
Gladiators Episode 3 with Rosie Jones
With a brand new game and a potential budding Glad romance, Emily and Jessica have lots to talk about as they debrief on this week's Gladiators heat.
They’re joined by comedian and extensive climber, the brilliant Rosie Jones aka WIND.
Follow Rosie on Instagram @josierones (instagram.com/josierones/)
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.
Photo by Matt Crockett.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
29 Jan 2025
Gladiators Episode 2 with Zoe Lyons
This week, Jessica and Emily discuss the brand new (and terrifying) Gladiator, Cyclone, as well as debriefing on this week's Contenders' performance.
They’re joined by comedian and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins badass, Zoe Lyons aka BLIZZARD.
Catch Zoe on tour with her brand new stand-up show Werewolf. For tickets and information head to zoelyons.co.uk.
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
20 Jan 2025
Gladiators Episode 1 with Lou Sanders
Gladiators is back baby! The brand new series has begun and Jessica and Emily catch up on their favourite moments from the first episode of the new series.
This week they’re joined by comedian and skating extraordinaire, Lou Sanders aka GLUTTON.
Lou is going on tour with her brand new stand-up show No Kissing In The Bingo Hall. For tickets and information head to lousanders.com (https://www.lousanders.com/).
And Lou's book What's That Lady Doing? is available to buy in hardback, paperback and audiobook. For more information hear to lousanders.com/book (https://www.lousanders.com/book/).
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
17 Jan 2025
Gladiators Celebrity Special with Josh Widdicombe
With just a day to go before the brand new series of Gladiators hits our screens, to warm us up, Jessica and Emily take a look at the recent Gladiators Celebrity Special.
Joining them this week is special guest Josh Widdicombe, and we hear from Celebrity contenders Ellie Taylor and Rob Beckett about their time on the show.
Josh is on tour with his stand up show Not My Cup of Tea. For tickets head to www.joshwiddicombe.com (www.joshwiddicombe.com).
Ellie is touring her brand new show Palavering! from April 2025. For tickets head to www.livenation.co.uk/ellie-taylor (https://www.livenation.co.uk/ellie-taylor-tickets-adp1238959).
And forget the Beaver, it's time to see Giraffe, Rob's new stand-up show. For tickets head to robbeckettcomedy.com (https://robbeckettcomedy.com/).
We want to hear from you! What would YOUR Gladiator name be, and why? Send us a voice note or video to contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com (mailto:contenderreadypodcast@gmail.com).
Follow Contender Ready on Instagram @contenderreadypodcast
Recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.
Design by Welcome Studio.
Music by Huge Davies
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
16 Jan 2025
Gladiators Series One Recap
Gladiators fan hosts Emily Campbell & Jessica Fostekew dissect Series One, revealing the most thrilling moments and takeaways for aspiring contenders.
10 Jan 2025
Contender Ready: An Unofficial Gladiators Podcast - Trailer
Comedian Jessica Fostekew and Olympic weightlifter Emily Campbell discuss the world of Gladiators, bringing fans an insider's perspective on the iconic TV show.
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5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 18 / 100
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YouTube
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