INTRODUCTION
Paul from the Gladiators Zone spoke exclusively to UK Gladiator Spartan, Roderick Bradley.
They talked about how he got selected as Spartan, what he though of his first season on Gladiators and his hopes for Series 2...
INTERVIEW
Q: "How did you get to be selected as Spartan for the new series of Gladiators and what did your friends and family think about you joining the show?"
Spartan: "Totally by chance I was working in a hotel when I overheard a familiar voice! It was Wrighty!! He was talking about the new series and I rudely interrupted! The rest was history. He took my number and I got an audition. My family love the fact that I'm a Gladiator, I have two brothers who are amazing athletes so I hope they are proud too."
Q: "What did you think of the fitness trials and camera tests you were required to complete to be part of the team? Were they tough?"
Spartan: "The fitness test was ok but people were dropping like flies all around us. It was clear to see you have to have athleticism as well as muscle and perhaps in that order. The camera tests and role plays were just a good laugh, I was just myself."
Q: "How well do the new Gladiators team get along? Who are your best friends from the team?"
Spartan: "We all got on really well, the dynamics were perfect. It was kind of like a family environment. I got on with everyone but I have a good laugh with Tornado and Panther too."
Q: "Kirsty Gallagher gave you the name 'the flirt in the skirt', how did you feel about having this as your nick-name? Have any of your friends given you any grief about being the only male UK Gladiator to have a skirt (although it is a roman one) as your costume?"
Spartan: "No, no one has really given me grief about that. I'm not sure about the 'flirt in the skirt' nick-name but hey I just get my head down and get on with it!"
Q: "How has becoming a Gladiator changed your life? Have you enjoyed doing the interviews, PA's and photoshoots?"
Spartan: "It hasn't changed my life a lot really. I've been doing my design work (seen now on Hijakbaselayer.com) and yeah it was weird doing all the shoots and stuff but outside of swinging on rings and battering Contenders my life really isn't very different."
Q: "If you could Duel against anyone in the world - alive or dead, real or fictitious - who would it be and why?"
Spartan: "Myself, it would be a real spectacle, it would go the distance!!!!"
Q: "What memorable moments do you have from the first series of Gladiators?"
Spartan: "My most memorable moment was the first time I stepped on the platform to do the first ever Duel. It was over in 3 seconds but it was awesome!"
Q: "How do you think the new series compares to the original series? In which ways do you think it is better/worse?"
Spartan: "It's no better, it's no worse, it's just different. I think you can see how entertainment and sports have evolved in the short period of time that separates the two."
Q: "Are there any Events you'd like to bring back from the original series?"
Spartan: "As an all rounder I’d like to do them all! I keep having dreams where I’m playing these crazy games involving big tackles, flying about and chasing etc… If I had to name the game I’d call it ‘Dream Ball’!"
Q: "You recently took part in the Legends Return and the Legends Strike Back when some of the classic Gladiators returned to take on the new team, how did you find meeting the legend Gladiators?"
Spartan: "They were all great but it was important they knew it was our house. As a whole we did well I think. I’ve got massive amounts of respect for them all. I really got on with Ace and Trojan."
Q: "Wolf has returned for Series 2 of Gladiators as a team coach. How did you find him being back permanently?"
Spartan: "He is such great guy to be around and we can learn loads from him. I really looked forward to him being back."
Q: "Which are your favorite Events?"
Spartan: "Pyramid and Powerball are my favorites. I wasn’t a big fan of Hang Tough in training but by the end of the first series I loved it!"
Q: "hat keeps you busy when you're not competing in the Gladiators Arena?"
Spartan: "I’m an artist so lots of that. I also play American football for London Blitz so lots of time goes there."
Q: "What did you want from Series 2 of Gladiators? Anything Spartan fans can look forward too as the series progresses?"
Spartan: "I didn’t get enough chances to do Powerball in Series 1 but I’d love too get more stuck in. I think it’s a strength of mine so fans can look out for bigger more explosive hits!!"
Q: "Finally, do you have a message for all of the Spartan fans on the Gladiators Zone?"
Spartan: "Thank you for all your support and BRING IT ON for the rest of the series, it’s going to heat up!!!"
