- Author, Ian Aikman
- Role, BBC News
John Anderson, best known for his role as the referee in the TV series Gladiators, has died aged 92.
The Scottish sports coach appeared in the game’s original ITV show, which aired from 1992 to 2000, and its short-lived 2008 renewal on Sky.
He lent his voice to the famous line: “Contestant, ready! Gladiator, ready!”
He has also coached more than 100 Olympians, including former 5,000m world record holder David Moorcroft.
“I can’t speak highly enough of John,” said Mr Moorcroft. Speaking to Athletics Weeklyadded that the Glaswegian manager had “just got the best out of people”.
“I’m sure I would never have been a decent athlete if it hadn’t been for John,” he said.
A statement from the show, cited by the Press Association, said: βIt is with deep sadness that we learn of the death of our beloved referee, John Anderson, aged 92.
“Our hearts go out to his friends and family. John will forever be remembered as the iconic voice that brought us ‘Gladiators Ready!’ Contenders Ready!”.”
Former professional football referee Mark Clattenburg, who took over as referee for the current incarnation of The Gladiators on the BBC earlier this year, said Anderson had “one of the most iconic voices”.
In a post on social media he said: “I had the most difficult task of following him in the new series of Gladiators and watching him keep Gladiators within the rules will always be with me.”
Speaking to the BBC when he first took on the Gladiators role, Mr Clattenburg said: βWhen I was watching the show in the 90s everyone knew who the referee was – John Anderson.
“Getting the call to say I’m going to be the new referee at Gladiators was such an amazing thing and probably one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.”
Mr Anderson has also served as England Athletics Association coach and Scotland national coach.
He trained dozens of Olympians, including Sheila Carey, Liz McColgan and Judy Simpson, who appeared in Gladiators as Nightshade in the 1990s.
He was inducted into the Coaching Hall of Fame in 2002.
Olympic sprinter Jennifer Stoute, known as Rebel on Gladiators, wrote on social media: “He was the best. Knew how to make us laugh and go crazy too. Best memories.”