Gladiators famously aired in the 1990s in the UK and quickly became one of the most popular shows on TV.
With the likes of Lightning, Jet, Wolf and Saracen appearing on the show among many other famous gym-goers, it's no surprise the series stayed on air for a whopping eight-year run.
READ MORE: Gladiators' Saracen reveals what producers 'forced' him to do during every show
However, when it ended in 2000, the stars went their separate ways and focused on their dreams away from the competitive TV show – and some closed the door on TV forever.
Michael Van Wijk had a handful of acting credits while he was on the TV show, but after his stint on BBC he moved overseas and opened a chain of gyms – and had quite the transformation.
Despite finishing his time on Gladiators, Michael has regularly shared his joy at appearing in the once incredibly popular TV show, with the star even telling Loaded magazine in 2008 he wanted to "come back and be a Gladiator again".
He later appeared in a one-off show called Gladiators: The Legends Return in 2008, but he returned to New Zealand and continued with his own work.
Nowadays, some fans might not recognise the Wolf star, particularly with his major transformation in the decades that followed his TV stint.
While some fans will remember Wolf for his striking curls, Michael now sports a completely shaven head and is regularly seen in casual attire – a far cry from his famous Gladiators' uniform from the '90s.
One thing that hasn't changed though is his love and passion for the gym and working out.
As fans will remember, the Gladiators stars were incredibly fit during the heyday, and that's one thing that Michael hasn't let falter.
When he left the UK the star decided to open up a chain of gyms in New Zealand and to go hand-in-hand he also shares fitness updates and sneak-peeks of his food on his Instagram to give fans the ultimate insight into his diet and lifestyle.
Speaking on GB News Michael described the recognition after filming Gladiators as "crazy", and now a new set of stars will experience a similar fate.
BBC's Kate Phillips said the show will return on Saturday nights and revealed that the filming is due to kickstart at Sheffield's Utilita Area next year.
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READ MORE:
- Ulrika Jonsson stormed off Gladiators set after Wolf brutally mocked her on air
- Gladiators producers 'rejected Wolf' but changed minds after crowd went 'ballistic'
- Gladiators star Lightning talks 'hanging out' of G-string in racy BBC Breakfast chat
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