Gladiators viewers slam Viper after he smashes microphone and storms off set as they accuse him of trying to imitate notorious former show star Wolf: 'It's embarrassing'

Gladiators viewers slammed Viper after he smashed a microphone and stormed off set on Saturday’s episode.

Many compared him to notorious baddie and former show star Michael van Wijk AKA Wolf, now 71, who appeared on the series from 1992 to 2000.

They claimed it was ’embarrassing’ that he was trying to imitate him by his over the top reaction.

On the show John, Jake, Marie Louise and Zoe faced the Gladiators and had to complete the Gauntlet – where they had to successfully pass four zones which were protected.

Jake managed to get past Viper first which host Bradley Walsh pointed out – leading Viper to kick off.

Gladiators viewers slammed Viper after he smashed a microphone and stormed off set on Saturday’s episode

Many compared him to notorious baddie and former show star Michael van Wijk AKA Wolf, now 71, who appeared on the series from 1992 to 2000

Bradley said to him: ‘I’ve got to say Viper, obviously not a big favourite… I mean Jake got through you very, very quickly and quite easily.

‘And John did the same… Pretty easy. As far as I can see. What do you think, being first in line?,’ he asked.

Viper then grabbed the microphone off Bradley and smashed it before chucking it onto the floor and storming off set.

Many took to X after to compare him to Wolf as one said: ‘Viper is a Poundland Wolf #gladiators.’

A second wrote: ‘Viper wants to be the Wolf so bad, it’s embarrassing.’

A third penned: ‘Viper, your not Wolf and never will be.’

A fourth wrote: ‘Oh my GOD. Viper is at it again. Unacceptable. I’m disgusted.’

Also during the episode Gladiators’ viewers slammed the new series’ ‘easy’ challenges after the BBC reboot returned for its second episode.

They claimed it was ’embarrassing’ that he was trying to imitate him by his over the top reaction

Many took to X after to compare him to Wolf as one said: ‘Viper is a Poundland Wolf #gladiators’

Viper grabbed the microphone off Bradley and smashed it before chucking it onto the floor and storming off set leaving viewers (seen) in shock

Fans claimed the original series was ‘100 per cent tougher’ especially after the competitors managed to complete the Gauntlet with ease.

The muscle bound Gladiators attempted, unsuccessfully, to stop the contestants from passing, and viewers couldn’t help compare it to the original 90s game show.

They said: ‘Do Gladiators know the rules of Gauntlet? A stiff breeze would take them down’.

‘Swear Gladiators used to be tougher;’ ‘I’m sure the contestants got a harder time in the 90s on the gauntlet’.

‘I fell like years ago, Gauntlet was far more difficult for contestants. I know it’s identical rules and equipment but everyone has beat it this season with ease’.

‘Gauntlet? It’s tougher getting round my Tesco on the weekend’.

‘I remember Gauntlet being a lot tougher in it’s previous interactions’.

‘They ain’t Gladiators too easy for these contestants. bring back Wolf, Cobra and Shadow’.

‘Didn’t the old Gladiators try to stop people? This show is so soft’.

Elsewhere in the episode, Giant appeared on TV for the first time since breaking his silence on a resurfaced YouTube video which reportedly showed him boasting about steroid use.

The Gladiator, 37, went up at against challenger Jake in Dual with the muscle bound pro having no problem beating his smaller commentator.

Host Bradley branded the pairing ‘miss matched’ as Giant towered over the others during the following interview.

Jake said: ‘It was very much a David vs Goliath situation, or should I say Jake vs Giant.’

Giant, whose real name is Jamie Christian-Johal, spoke about using steroids during his bodybuilding career and says he does not ‘advocate the use’ of them.

The budding TV star is said to have boasted about his ‘phenomenal gains’ in online videos, with one said to be titled ‘Take this and you will get big’.

However, in a statement given to MailOnline, Jamie said he has been off performance enhancing drugs for over a year.

He said: ‘I have always been open and transparent about my use of steroids whilst I was a professional bodybuilder.

‘During that time, I spoke openly about the legal use of performance enhancements as a competitive bodybuilder and how to safely administer them.

Also during the episode Gladiators ‘ viewers slammed the new series’ ‘easy’ challenges after the BBC reboot returned for its second episode

Fans claimed the original series was ‘100% tougher’ especially after the competitors managed to complete the Gauntlet (pictured) with ease

‘I stopped competing as a bodybuilder in October 2022 and responsibly came off steroids.

‘I am no longer a professional bodybuilder and am no longer taking steroids and do not advocate the use of them.’

A BBC spokesperson said: ‘The Gladiators production team were robust with their no drugs policy and drug testing was part of the process which all Gladiators agreed to and complied with. The results showed that they were not taking performance enhancing drugs.’

Anabolic steroids are classified as class C drugs, meaning they are prescription-only, but they are readily available illegally online or via social media.