Son vs Dad: who wins?
2026 Contender @shaunstephen_1 takes on his dad @murraystephen67 — an original 1995 Contender — in a true Gladiators generational battle.
Both Contenders. Both ready.
But who comes out on top at the Gladiators Experience?
#GladiatorsExperience #Gladiators
Wow, what an amazing experience 💥 Watching our son at just 20 years old, taking on the might of the Gladiators 💪 I couldn’t honestly be prouder 🙌
30 years ago, I tackled the Gladiators on the Gladiators show and made it all the way to the semi-finals 💪 Now, watching my son Shaun do exactly the same, it means more than words can say ❤️
From the very start, Shaun set his sights on reaching the semi-finals 🎯 and just like I remember all those years ago, he’s gone out there and given it everything 💥 That’s the thing about him, when he sets a goal, he doesn’t just chase it, he achieves it 💪🔥
As a family, we’ve loved every single moment of this journey ❤️ Watching him compete, supporting him all the way, and seeing him grow through the experience has been something really special 🙌 It’s been unforgettable for all of us ⭐
Shaun, you’ve followed in my footsteps—but you’ve also carved out your own path, and that means everything ❤️ We’re all so proud of you 💪👏
And the best part? It’s not over yet 💥 We’ve got the Gladiator experience to look forward to, who knows, maybe Shaun and I will go head-to-head on the Eliminator 💪🔥 now that would be something! 😄 And of course, the live shows are still to come 🎉
The journey continues and we’ll be right there with you every step of the way
Well… here we are — semifinals.
Shaun has just matched my record, and as his dad, I couldn’t be prouder of how far he’s come and the way he’s carried himself throughout this competition. For such a young lad, he’s shown real determination, heart, and maturity beyond his years.
I know how tough this stage is, so to be here is a huge achievement in itself. Keep your focus, trust your training, and give it everything you’ve got on Saturday.
No matter what happens, you’ve already made us proud, son. Now go out there and show them what you’re made of. 👊
Here we go again. male quarter-finalists, have just been announced tonight. Look who’s coming back……..Shaun, go get them, lad. We knew you could do it……
The wait is over… and I honestly couldn’t be prouder! 🤩💪
30 years ago I walked into the Gladiators arena as a contender…
and now my son Shaun is stepping up to face the Gladiators himself!
Watching him take on this challenge and live the experience I had all those years ago is just incredible.
Proud dad doesn’t even come close to how I’m feeling right now. ❤️🔥
He’s smashed it, he’s lived it… and now it’s time for everyone to see it.
📺 On your screens this Saturday — and trust me, this is one you do NOT want to miss!
Let’s go Shaun!!! 💥💪🔥
#ProudDadMoment #Gladiators #LikeFatherLikeSon #MyBoy #SoProud #FamilyLegacy #SaturdayNightTV #Gladiators2026 #CantWait #TVTime #FullCircleMoment #LetsGoShaun #Unmissable 📺🔥💪
One of the most nail-biting Hang Tough battles of the 90s 💥⛓️
Back in Series 4 (1995), Murray Stephen faced Cobra in a semi-final showdown that still lives long in Gladiators history.
Cobra caught him on the rings, slid down his body and clung on as the seconds ticked away… and very nearly took more than just the points!
Even Cobra later admitted it was the toughest Hang Tough he’d ever had. And as Ulrika famously put it, Cobra almost revealed Murray’s “vital statistics” to the nation 😅
Murray is an iconic Contender who narrowly missed out on the Grand Final in 1995…
Makes you wonder if Contender genes might run in the family? 👀
#Gladiators #HangTough #GladiatorsTV
The new Gladiators absolutely works 💪🔥 They’ve kept everything that made the 90s show iconic — the music, the fun, the energy, and those brilliant Gladiators! Over 30 years since I did it, and it’s amazing to see it back stronger than ever. Can’t wait to catch a live show!⚡️ #Gladiators #Nostalgia #TVComeback #GladiatorsReady
Just been looking through some of the photos from the weekend’s Hyrox competition! 🏋️♂️📸
My old body’s been feeling a bit achy this week — no surprise there! Meanwhile, Shaun got up the next morning and went straight back into another gym session… oh, to be young again! 😅
I’ve managed a gentle run and a half Hyrox session over at CrossFit Pendle, and I’ll be honest — it was tough after what we put ourselves through on Sunday. But onwards and upwards — we can only keep trying and improving. 💪
I might not have youth on my side anymore, so now it’s all about working smart and using the mind as much as the muscle. I’ve got a feeling Shaun and I will do big things next year… watch this space! 👀🔥
#Hyrox #FitnessJourney #FatherAndSon #CrossFitPendle #KeepPushing #MindOverMatter #NeverTooLate #OnwardsAndUpwards
“A lovely walk around Hurstwood Reservoir with the birthday girl 🎉 The perfect way to stretch the legs after the Hyrox competition at the weekend! Finished with birthday cake and a coffee in the VDUB 💪☀️ #BirthdayVibes #HyroxRecovery #hurstwoodreservoir r”
What a day in Birmingham! 💪🔥
My first ever Hyrox competition — and I got to take it on with my son, Shaun. With Kaye and Kerri cheering us on, the energy was incredible!
Today reminded me that it’s never too late to push your limits and discover what you’re capable of. Shaun has reignited my drive to get fitter and stronger — age is just a number when passion leads the way.
I might’ve held us back a little this time 😅, but next time we’ll be faster and tougher. Here’s to new challenges, endless progress, and the power of never giving up! 🙌
#Hyrox #Birmingham #FatherAndSon #FitnessJourney #NeverTooLate #KeepPushing #Teamwork #StrongerTogether #ChallengeYourself #Motivation
