Jamie Bigg, who played the Gladiator known as Giant on the BBC reboot, says he was dropped from the show because he planned to go public about his relationship with an OnlyFans creator. The BBC’s public line is that Giant is leaving after three series. The two accounts have not been reconciled in the reports we found, so this article separates what Bigg says from what the BBC has said.
What is confirmed
- Bigg played Giant on the rebooted Gladiators from 2024, per his Wikipedia entry.
- On 24 April 2026 it was announced that Giant would leave at the end of the current BBC series, according to the BBC News report cited there.
- A BBC spokesperson told media: “After three formidable series, Giant is leaving Gladiators,†as quoted by HuffPost UK.
What Bigg claims
HuffPost UK, published on 27 April 2026, reports that Bigg told The Sun he was sacked because of his relationship with Taylor Ryan, an OnlyFans model. His claims, as reported:
- He told the show he planned to go public with the relationship, including his partner’s work, and shortly afterwards was told he would not continue.
- He says producers told him that going public could be “providing an access to adult content for childrenâ€, which he called “absurdâ€.
- He said he had to choose between dating Ryan and keeping his job, and that leaving “wasn’t a decision I madeâ€.
These are allegations from one side. The reports we found do not include a BBC statement addressing the specific reason, and HuffPost UK said it had asked the BBC for further comment without reporting a reply.
Related Reading
Context
Bigg confirmed a divorce in December 2025 and reverted to his birth surname, Bigg, in 2026, according to the BBC News report cited on Wikipedia. Series three aired on BBC One from 17 January to 28 March 2026, filmed in 2025, which is why on-screen credits can still show his earlier name. Some coverage also notes that he previously promoted anabolic steroids and says he stopped around October 2022.
What we do not know
- Whether the BBC or the production company had a formal policy that applied to his situation.
- Whether the departure was decided by the BBC, the production company, or both.
- Whether the BBC will respond with a fuller statement.
We will not speculate on the BBC’s reasons. If a fuller statement is published, this article will be updated.
Corrections to an earlier version
An earlier version of this page said the Gladiator was unnamed and claimed to have been fired over a job review written by his girlfriend, and that the BBC had stayed silent. That was wrong. Bigg is named in the reports, his claim concerns his partner’s OnlyFans work, and the BBC has given a short public statement. The earlier text has been replaced.
Sources
- HuffPost UK, 27 April 2026: Gladiators’ Giant alleges he was sacked over OnlyFans model relationship
- Wikipedia: Jamie Bigg
- Wikipedia: Gladiators (2024 British TV series), series 3
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