Who is Apollo? Gladiators 2025 star and former rugby player

With brand new games and the return of the classics, Apollo and his fellow Gladiators will hope to go far in Season 2 and ensure that no challenger can push past them.

So as the games begin, read on for everything you need to know about Gladiators star Apollo.

Who is Apollo?

Apollo keeps a large staff

Apollo. BBC / James Stack / © Hungry Bear Media Ltd

Age: 33

From: County Durham

Height: 6 foot 6

Arm length: 73 cm

Fact: Apollo can jump 2.8m from a standing position – that’s longer than a table tennis table!

Instagram: @alexander_thegrayt

Alexander ‘Apollo’ Gray is a former rugby union and American football player who, during his career, has played for the England Sevens, Newcastle Falcons and played tight end for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL.

The first British rugby player to pursue a career in American football, Alex was initially signed as a practice squad player after joining the NFL Combine and attending tryouts in Florida through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

In 2020, Alex returned to rugby union and signed with Bath Rugby. Four years later he became a gladiator!

Apollo is compared to “Superman, but with a sense of humor”, is “big and fast, like a rocket and hotter than the sun”, and his favorite hobby is “destroying candidates”.

Alex has also been a long-time fan of Gladiators, as he explained: “I was absolutely crazy about Gladiators as a kid. My mum says all plans were canceled for the Saturdays when Gladiators was on as there would be hell to pay . if I and my brothers couldn’t see it.”

The Gladiators return on Saturday, January 18 at 5.50pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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