Nitro Gladiators: Real Name, Age, Wife, Olympic Medals

If you’ve tuned into the BBC’s reboot of Gladiators, you’ve probably spotted Nitro — the lightning-fast competitor who seems to be everywhere at once. But behind the neon name is a real person with a remarkable athletic career that includes Commonwealth gold and two Olympic appearances.

Real name: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey ·
Age: 36 (born 29 August 1988) ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Olympic medal: None ·
Commonwealth gold: 2010 (4×100 m relay) ·
Gladiators role: Nitro (BBC reboot 2024)

Eleven facts in the table below capture the essentials, but one pattern stands out: Nitro combines Olympic-level sprinting with the high-energy world of TV entertainment — a rare crossover.

Who is Nitro on The Gladiators?

Real name and background

• Nitro is played by Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, a former Commonwealth sprinter born in Carshalton, London (Wikipedia).
• He was announced as Nitro in 2023 for the BBC One reboot of Gladiators (The Big Issue).
• At age 17 he won BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2005 (GladiatorsTV).

Athletic career before Gladiators

Before stepping into the arena, Aikines-Aryeetey built an impressive track record. He became the first athlete to win gold in both the 100 m and 200 m at the World Youth Championships (The Big Issue). He later earned bronze in the 100 m at the 2014 European Championships (The Big Issue).

His honours list includes three European Championship titles and two Commonwealth titles, according to his profile on the official GladiatorsTV site. The pattern: he consistently delivered on the track before ever stepping in front of a TV camera.

The implication: Nitro isn’t an actor playing a role — he’s a genuine elite athlete who brings real speed to the show.

How old is Nitro from Gladiators?

Date of birth and age

• Born 29 August 1988, making him 36 years old (Wikipedia).
• At his Gladiators debut in 2024 he was 35 or 36 — older than some may expect from a fast-moving competitor.

Height and physical stats

• Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) (Wikipedia).
• Standing vertical jump: 42 inches, one of the highest among the current Gladiators (GladiatorsTV).

The trade-off: at 36, Nitro’s explosive power is still top-tier, but he relies more on technique and experience than raw youth.

Who is Gladiator Nitro married to now?

Wife and relationship details

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is married, though his wife’s name has not been publicly confirmed in reliable sources. This is a common privacy boundary for athletes who keep their family life out of the spotlight.

Children

He has children, but the exact number is not specified in the available biographical material. What is clear: he balances fatherhood with two demanding careers — professional sport and television.

Did Nitro win an Olympic medal?

Olympic participation

• He competed in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics but did not reach the podium (GladiatorsTV).
• His official profile notes he is a two-time Olympian (Advertising Week Europe).

Commonwealth and World medals

• Commonwealth gold in the 4×100 m relay at the 2010 Games (The Big Issue).
• World gold medallist as a sprinter (World Youth Championships) (The Big Issue).

The pattern: Nitro may lack an Olympic medal, but his Commonwealth and World titles prove he competed at the very highest level.

Why was Nitro away from Gladiators?

Reasons for absence

Nitro missed some episodes of the 2024 series due to other commitments, including appearing as a contestant on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special in December 2024. The BBC’s schedule required him to train and film for both shows simultaneously, limiting his availability for Gladiators filming sessions.

Return to the show

He returned for the next series after the Christmas break. According to the official GladiatorsTV site, Nitro remains a core member of the lineup.

Nitro Gladiators: Key specifications

Six physical and professional specs define Nitro’s on-screen and off-screen identity.

Timeline: Nitro’s journey from track to TV

• 29 August 1988 — Harry Aikines-Aryeetey born in Carshalton, London (Wikipedia).
• 2005 — Wins BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year (The Big Issue).
• 2010 — Commonwealth gold in 4×100 m relay (The Big Issue).
• 2012 — Competes in London Olympics (GladiatorsTV).
• 2016 — Competes in Rio Olympics (GladiatorsTV).
• 2024 — Debuts as Nitro on BBC Gladiators reboot (The Big Issue).
• December 2024 — Contestant on Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Nitro is Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (GladiatorsTV).
• He is 36 years old (Wikipedia).
• He won Commonwealth gold in 2010 (The Big Issue).
• He did not win an Olympic medal (GladiatorsTV).
• He is married with children.
• He appeared in the 2024 Gladiators reboot (The Big Issue).

What’s unclear

• Exact name of his wife.
• Number of children.
• Exact net worth.
• Specific reason for absence beyond other commitments (Christmas special).

Quotes from the arena

“Speed is my thing, but sometimes life …”

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (via GladiatorsTV)

“Nitro is known for his incredible vertical jump and explosive energy.”

BBC Gladiators profile (GladiatorsTV)

For UK viewers who grew up with the original Gladiators, Nitro represents a new breed: a genuine athlete who treats the arena as seriously as the track. His next move — more TV, more athletics, or a mix — will determine how long he can sustain both careers. For Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, the choice is clear: keep running, keep jumping, and keep the audience guessing.

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For more details on his early life and family background, see this Harry Aikines-Aryeetey biography and twin covering his twin and upbringing.

Frequently asked questions