The shoulder-length hair and affected snarl were a thing of the past as former Gladiators star Michael Van Wijk, otherwise known as Wolf, made an appearance on Thursday’s edition of Good Morning Britain.
Now based in New Zealand, where he manages a chain of fitness studios, the 70-year-old looked considerably different – but no less impressive given his advanced age – as he discussed the popular ITV show and its imminent return.
Wearing a black muscle-vest, father-of-four Van Wijk confirmed he was still in great shape while appearing in the London studio remotely alongside his son, Dean, 34.
All change: The shoulder-length hair and affected snarl were a thing of the past as former Gladiators star Michael Van Wijk, otherwise known as Wolf, made an appearance on Thursday’s edition of Good Morning Britain
And the aging bodybuilder, a regular fixture on Gladiators between 1992 and 2000, claimed he could still compete on the show, despite being considerably older.
‘To be honest I could do all the games comfortably,’ he told hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard. ‘I would also like to be like you guys and be a co-presenter as well.’
Van Wijk also claimed he could beat his muscular son, who hopes to feature on the new series, should they ever compete against one another.
He added: ‘We train at different gyms but we are very, very competitive.’
Looking good: Wearing a black muscle-vest, father-of-four Van Wijk confirmed he was still in great shape while appearing in the London studio remotely alongside his son, Dean
Fighting fit: And the aging bodybuilder, a regular fixture on Gladiators between 1992 and 2000, claimed he could still compete on the show, despite being considerably older.
Dean is aiming to follow in his father’s footsteps when the endurance based game-show makes a comeback next year having applied for the reboot – and he’s even planning on going by the name of Wolf Cub.
‘I’ve always wanted to wear Lycra and chase people around,’ he told The Sun. While Michael added: ‘I believe he can take the contenders to shreds like I used to.’
In its heyday, the program attracted 13 million viewers, with its popular 90s TV show seeing members of the public battle it out against a cast of bodybuilders and gymnasts, known as Gladiators.
Mirror image: lookalike son Dean is aiming to follow in his father’s footsteps when the endurance based game-show makes a comeback next year having applied for the reboot – and he’s even planning on going by the name of Wolf Cub
Aspirations: Dean, who has not yet been confirmed as one of the cast but has applied for the reboot, said: ‘I’ve always wanted to wear Lycra and chase people around’
And while fitness fanatic Dean is confident he can take on the challenge, he knows he’s got big boots to fill when it comes to matching up to his father.
It’s a bit daunting to think about, he explained. ‘Especially because he was the number one with his character.
But I’m up for it. I can’t be exactly the same as him but I will try to bring something else to the show.’
Dean said he got a taste for appearing on the show when he was a child after his father made him a mini lycra costume to match Wolf’s which Michael carried him on his shoulders around Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena where the program was filmed.
However, whether he will make it onto the show remains to be seen as the cast is yet to be announced and tens of thousands of aspiring Gladiators are said to have tried out.
The BBC confirmed this summer that the show will make a comeback with an 11-episode series and will be welcoming a new generation of ‘superhumans’ who will compete against contestants in the ‘ultimate test of speed and strength’.
The programme, originally hosted by Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu, will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and feature a host of new games alongside the classic challenges that long-time fans will know and love.
Each show will end with the ultimate fan favorite challenge – the intense obstacle course known as The Eliminator.
The rebooted program will be filmed at Utilita Arena Sheffield in 2023, while the new hosts have yet to be announced.
Happy memories: Dean said he got a taste for appearing on the show when he was a child after his father made him a mini lycra costume to match Wolf’s
.