Gladiators star Toby Olubi, known as Phantom, has spoken out about the importance of role models, expressing concern that there are not enough positive examples for young people today.
Ahead of the highly anticipated Gladiators semi-finals airing on BBC One this Saturday, the 37-year-old athlete appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, where he discussed the impact of having strong role models and how they can shape the aspirations of younger generations.
Olubi, who competed as a British bobsledder in the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, reflected on his own childhood inspirations, particularly Gladiator Saracen, played by Michael Lewis in the original 90s version of the show.
The power of seeing role models in real life
Speaking on the programme, Olubi recalled how seeing Saracen in person made success feel more attainable for him as a young man.
“Role models are a big deal. For me, one of the big things was being able to see certain characters within my community and see them prevail.
“Saracen was actually a Gladiator of the past who was in the same area as me, went to the same gym. In fact, I remember seeing him when I was in my early 20s, but I reverted back to being a 10-year-old boy when I saw him.
“Seeing him in real life makes it more attainable, and I looked up to him, and obviously I followed in his footsteps.”
However, Olubi lamented the current lack of strong, positive figures in society for young people to look up to.
“Role models are a big deal, especially for youth and for younger people. I agree with you, there aren’t many good ones in this day and age.”
Bringing grit and determination to gladiators
Olubi joined the rebooted Gladiators in 2023, taking on the persona of Phantom, and has since impressed audiences with his strength, agility, and determination. The show, originally a 90s classic on ITV, has been revived several times over the years, with the latest version hosted by Bradley and Barney Walsh.
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In the show, two male and two female contenders take on a series of gruelling physical challenges against elite athletes, known as the Gladiators, each given a unique fictional character name.
For Olubi, the spirit of Gladiators aligns closely with his background in elite sports, particularly in bobsleigh, where mental and physical resilience are key.
“Bobsleigh is the sport that we probably hold testament to because it’s a sport where you have to run towards your fear every single day, and so it builds character.
“That’s what we bring to the table. We bring a lot of character and a lot of grit, and then it’s up to the contenders to match that.”
Lessons from the arena
Olubi believes that the competition reflects broader life lessons about resilience and facing adversity head-on.
“The big thing for me is to make sure that we are representing sort of what life is about. Life is about taking on adversity.
“It isn’t easy sometimes, and the only option you have is to fight or to run away, and we hope that all the contenders fight in every endeavour.”
The latest Gladiators reboot has been widely praised for its mix of nostalgia and high-octane entertainment, drawing in both old fans and a new generation of viewers.
The semi-finals of Gladiators will air this Saturday on BBC One and iPlayer, as contenders battle for a place in the grand final, hoping to prove their strength, endurance, and determination against some of the toughest Gladiators in the game.
