Gladiators is set to make a triumphant return on Sky One tomorrow night, however a show source has revealed to The mediaguardian website that the team has been hit with a stream of injuries and that at least one person won’t be able to compete in the opening show.

“It’s been a health and safety minefield,” a source is quoted as saying. “There have been injuries left, right and centre. It’s not been helped by the fact that the show has been put together quite quickly.”

A Sky spokeswoman told the website: “The health and safety of our Gladiators and contenders is our number one priority. We have three times the required levels of health and safety on the show and have spent the last week reviewing every single element to make sure this is the safest possible environment for the games before we start filming for real.

“We would never jeopardise the wellbeing of anyone, whether they be in front of or behind the camera. It is worth putting into perspective, however, that this is Gladiators – a tough physical show for athletes. It’s not Family Fortunes!”