The cult show, in which members of the public are pitched against "Gladiators" in physical games and tasks, was originally a hit on ITV in the 1990s.

It is now being revived on Sky television, however, getting an airing on Sky One this Sunday (May 11) at 6pm.

Twelve new "Gladiators" are preparing to do battle including 21-year-old Mr Aldis, the youngest of the new Gladiators and whose formidable name for the show will be Oblivion.

At 16 stone and six feet, three inches tall, Oblivion's motto is: "Leaves nothing in his path – extinguishes the opposition".

He also describes his inner animal as a Siberian tiger.

A former pupil of Docking primary school and Smithdon high school at Hunstanton, Mr Aldis has been a professional wrestler since his late teens, having performed for All Star Wrestling in the past.

He also played football, took part in swimming championships and played tennis in the national ladder.

GRUELLING TEST

He was approached to take part in Gladiators but, nevertheless, still had to go through a gruelling physical test.

"I love performing. I am very ambitious and still very young.

"I would love to get into television and movies," said Mr Aldis, who has also appeared on BBC television game show The Weakest Link.

Presenters of the new show, which runs for 15 weeks, will be Kirsty Gallacher and Ian Wright.

Being filmed at Shepperton Studios in Surrey, it will feature some games from the original show including joust, "hang tough" and the final eliminator, the eventual winner netting £50,000.