The critics have been sinking their teeth into the new series of The Gladiators ever since it returned but former star James Crossley has defended the show.

Viewing figures have fallen sharply since the first instalment but Crossley who played Hunter has said it's no reflection on what they have achieved.

Crossley blames the bad figures for the latest series on the number of channels there are to watch now.

He said: "We did the show 16 years ago and we had 16 million viewers because there were less channels.

"Shows just don't get those kind of viewing figures any more."

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