BBC Gladiators legend John Anderson dies aged 92 as tributes pour in for iconic referee
John Anderson dies as tributes pour in for the BBC Gladiators legend
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Gladiators referee John Anderson has died at the age of 92, the show's official social media channels confirmed.
The Glaswegian TV personality was best-known for his iconic catchphrase: "Gladiators... Ready!"
A familiar face on the BBC show throughout the 1990s, Anderson briefly returned to the role when Sky rebooted Gladiators in 2008.
However, in the BBC's latest adaptation, it's former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg who's taken the reins.
Anderson's death was announced by the Gladiators TV X account which shared a snap of him in action.
It penned in the accompanying caption: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved referee, John Anderson, at the age of 92.
John Anderson was a fan-favourite among Gladiators fans in the 1990s
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"Our hearts go out to his friends and family.
"John will forever be remembered as the iconic voice that brought 'Gladiators Ready! Contenders Ready!'"
Inevitably, it didn't take long for tributes from far and wide to flood in from fans who had nothing but fond memories of Anderson.
One fan replied to the news: "RIP. The voice of my childhood GLADIATORS READY!!!!!! TREEEEE. TOOOOOOO. WUNNNNNNN."
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved referee, John Anderson, at the age of 92. Our hearts go out to his friends and family. John will forever be remembered as the iconic voice that brought "Gladiators Ready! Contenders Ready!" pic.twitter.com/X2OUb6QgOy
— Gladiators TV (@GladiatorsTV) July 28, 2024
"R.I.P. John! You were a huge part of my childhood! Much love," a second concurred.
Meanwhile, a third weighed in: "John made Gladiators what it was. Thanks for the memories RIP."
And a fourth echoed: "This guy was just as big as the Gladiators themselves! Thats how much of an influence he had. RIP."
Condolences kept coming from a fifth who penned: "RIP. A voice from my childhood and even still now, 3-2-1 is always attempted in his accent."
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John Anderson's cause of death hasn't been disclosed
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"What a legend! Sad news," a sixth simply summed up as their shared their thoughts.
As well his TV career, Anderson also plied his trade as an athletics coach and numerous Olympian runners including Dave Moorcroft.
No cause of death has been given.
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