{"id":24726,"date":"2026-08-02T01:48:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T20:48:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=24726"},"modified":"2026-08-02T01:48:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T20:48:25","slug":"gladiator-nitro-reveals-what-inspired-him-to-give-up-selfish-sporting-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=24726","title":{"rendered":"Gladiator Nitro reveals what inspired him to give up &#8216;selfish&#8217; sporting career"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"646\" height=\"430\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_236475922-e1d9.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29249870\" alt=\"Gladiators Season 2,18-01-2025,1,Nitro,*** UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 00:00:01 14-01-2025 ***,? Hungry Bear Media Ltd,David MacCormack\" decoding=\"sync\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has been portraying Nitro on Gladiators for three years (Picture: BBC\/Graeme Hunter\/Hungry Bear Media Ltd)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/gladiators\/\">Gladiators<\/a> star <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/harry-aikines-aryeetey\/\">Harry Aikines-Aryeetey<\/a> has revealed his mindset shift since becoming a father, admitting he used to be \u2018selfish\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>The TV personality is best known now for appearing as Nitro on the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/bbc-2\/\">BBC<\/a> revival of the game show.<\/p>\n<p>Harry, 37, also reached a new audience last year when <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/11\/09\/strictly-come-dancing-eliminates-sixth-celebrity-tense-dance-off-yet-24658652\/\">he was eliminated sixth<\/a> on <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/strictly-come-dancing\/\">Strictly Come Dancing<\/a>, partnered with professional dancer <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/karen-hauer\/\">Karen Hauer<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>But before his glittering showbiz era of bright studio lights and mixing with huge celebs, Harry had a successful sporting career as a sprinter, and participated in the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/commonwealth-games\/\">Commonwealth Games<\/a> and the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/olympics\/\">Olympics<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, he decided it was time to hang up his running shoes and gold medals, opting to transition to television so he could spend more time with his wife, Lauren, and their daughter, Aubre\u00e9-Isla.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.com\/tvshowbiz\/article-16016177\/Gladiator-Harry-Aikines-Aryeetey-fatherhood-showbiz.html\">Daily Mail<\/a>, the athlete reflected on \u2018compromises\u2019 he\u2019s made in raising his five-year-old, saying his daughter is his \u2018entire world\u2019.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"388\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_236284420-d0fe.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29240473\" alt=\"Gladiators,Legend, Fire, Bionic, Diamond, Nitro, Electro, Giant, Steel, Apollo, Comet, Viper, Athena, Fury, Phantom, Sabre, Dynamite ,Gladiators group shot L-R top row ??? Legend, Fire, Bionic, Diamond, Nitro Electro, Giant, Steel, Apollo, Comet Viper, Athena, Fury, Phantom Sabre, Dynamite ,Hungry Bear ,Nick Eagle\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Filming for the fourth season on the BBC is currently underway (Picture: Nick Eagle\/BBC\/Hungry Bear)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u2018I selfishly did a lot of things for myself as a sprinter,\u00a0as an Olympic athlete,\u2019 he confessed. \u2018You compromise and sacrifice on a lot of things around life.\u00a0But the moment you have a child\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I was sad when she was born because I was like, \u201cShe won\u2019t know me as a sprinter and having won X amount of medals.\u201d But that was so selfish of me.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Harry added that he\u2019s now actually been \u2018given an even greater gift\u2019, as his daughter can watch him on Gladiators and shows like <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/masterchef\/\">MasterChef<\/a>, which he appeared on in 2024, because they will teach her \u2018different things about life\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I can\u2019t even get a chopping board out without her being next to me after MasterChef. She cooks with me all the time,\u2019 he said sweetly, noting that Strictly also made the little one keen to dance.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, Harry took her to a performing arts school, suggesting she could also be destined for a future in the public eye.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018And Gladiators is teaching her to be the best version of herself and to be confident, to be proud,\u2019 he continued, joking that Aubre\u00e9-Isla will ask her friends if they \u2018want to meet Nitro\u2019.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"430\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_191160123-3a56.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29276514\" alt=\"MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: In this handout image provided by British Athletics, Gold Medalist Harry Aikines-Aryeetey of Great Britain celebrates during the medal ceremony for the Men's 100 Metres final during day one of Muller British Athletics Championships at Manchester Regional Arena on September 04, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by British Athletics - Handout\/British Athletics via Getty Images)\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Prior to his showbiz career, Harry represented Great Britain as a sprinter (Picture: British Athletics via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u2018She really appreciates the role that I play and me and my wife we definitely support her in a way that allows us to try and have an essence of normality within the house.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Harry has said he chose Nitro as his Gladiator name because he\u2019s a \u2018form of energy\u2019 himself.<\/p>\n<p>He was announced as a Gladiator three years ago when the iconic programme was rebooted, with his character becoming one of the most popular among viewers.<\/p>\n<p>Filming for the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/07\/29\/cast-bbcs-gladiators-full-line-up-3-stars-exit-29249646\/\">next season is now underway<\/a>, which is what Harry is focused on.<\/p>\n<p>But Strictly isn\u2019t the only BBC show undergoing a switch-up this year, as Gladiators is introducing new faces as well, replacing those who have been axed. Earlier this year, <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/07\/22\/gladiators-star-giant-reveals-true-feelings-replaced-worlds-strongest-man-29198726\/\">Giant was sensationally let go<\/a>, allegedly because bosses didn\u2019t approve of his romance with an OnlyFans model, <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/06\/23\/giant-splits-onlyfans-girlfriend-2-months-relationship-cost-gladiators-job-28893515\/\">from whom he\u2019s since split<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It then emerged that Bionic and Athena have suffered injuries, meaning they must sit out of the next outing of the Bradley and Barney Walsh-hosted show.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"777\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_307108961-e638.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29276496\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Harry is happy that his varied TV career can now teach his daughter, five, \u2018different things\u2019 (Picture: Instagram\/@aikines)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_307108965-74d6.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29276498\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>He shares Aubre\u00e9-Isla with his wife, Lauren (Picture: Instagram\/@aikines)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Finally, Cyclone, who made history as the first Irish Gladiator, will not be returning either and has removed all traces of the show from her <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/social-media\/\">social media<\/a>. Insiders have suggested she\u2019s \u2018not happy\u2019 about being given the chop, although the reasons why remain unclear.<\/p>\n<p>According to reports, Olympic champion skeleton\u00a0racer\u00a0Tabby Stoecker is one of the replacements for the departed Gladiators, joining fitness influencer and weightlifter Florence Wong, who\u2019ll perform as Huntress.<\/p>\n<p><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/07\/20\/worlds-strongest-man-can-pick-286kg-atlas-stone-replaces-giant-gladiators-29182016\/\">World\u2019s Strongest Man Tom Stoltman<\/a>, who hails from the Scottish Highlands, has also been confirmed, calling the casting a \u2018dream opportunity\u2019 and one he\u2019s \u2018incredibly proud\u2019 of.<\/p>\n<section class=\"metro-comment-cta\"\/>\n<p>\u2018I\u2019ve spent my life pushing myself to see what I can achieve, and joining this incredible show is the next challenge,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I\u2019m excited to bring my strength, determination and personality to the arena, but, most importantly, I want people watching to feel inspired to believe in themselves and take on their own challenges.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>The muscle man was hired to replace Giant (Jamie Bigg), despite reports of behind-the-scenes uproar over the Gladiator\u2019s firing and co-stars <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/07\/12\/chaos-gladiators-band-together-bring-back-axed-star-weeks-filming-29117333\/\">vowing to \u2018band together\u2019<\/a> to get him back.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"397\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SEI_299172270-690c-e1782226135631.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-28894018\" alt=\"Jamie Bigg and Taylor Ryan\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Giant is one of the stars who won\u2019t be returning to Gladiators, having been axed over his relationship with an OnlyFans creator (Picture: Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_237535623-c318.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29263816\" alt=\"Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay\/ITV\/Shutterstock (15120443q) Lysthus Ebosele, Gladiator 'Cyclone' 'Lorraine' TV show, London, UK - 27 Jan 2025\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Cyclone is also thought to not be \u2018happy\u2019 about being dropped from the roster (Picture: Ken McKay\/ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Fans will have to wait until 2027 to catch the newbies in action in the regular series, but there\u2019s <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/07\/31\/tv-star-reveals-incredible-gladiator-worthy-abs-joining-bbc-series-29268289\/\">the celebrity version<\/a> to look forward to in the meantime.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s been announced that the upcoming Celebrity Special will see\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/big-brother\/\">Big Brother<\/a>\u00a0presenter\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/aj-odudu\/\">AJ Odudu<\/a> alongside comedians\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/chris-ramsey\/\">Chris Ramsey<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/sara-pascoe\/\">Sara Pascoe<\/a> and influencer George Clarke.<\/p>\n<p>The four stars will face the challenges of Powerball, Unleash, and Duel, and, of course, the final gruelling eliminator.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Gladiators returns to the BBC later this year.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/01\/casualty-not-today-back-29266755\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Why is Casualty not on today and when is it back?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/07\/31\/replace-naga-munchetty-bbc-breakfast-29259222\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Who could replace Naga Munchetty on BBC Breakfast? The potential candidates explored<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/07\/30\/fourth-gladiators-star-not-happy-exit-deletes-trace-bbc-show-29260123\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Fourth Gladiators star addresses exit after reports of \u2018axing\u2019 from BBC show<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\"><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-comments\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Comment now<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-comment\" href=\"#social-comment\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" class=\"metro-button share-bar-preferred-source\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-preferred-source\" href=\"#social-preferred-source\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card accent--tv\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card__inner\">\n<h4>TV Newsletter<\/h4>\n<p>Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has been portraying Nitro on Gladiators for three years (Picture: BBC\/Graeme Hunter\/Hungry Bear Media Ltd) Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has revealed his mindset shift since becoming a father, admitting he used to be \u2018selfish\u2019. The TV personality is best known now for appearing as Nitro on the BBC revival of the game show&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24727,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_236475922-e1d9_1785601885.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1200&h=630&crop=1","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24726"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24726\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24727"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}