FINN Hatton’s semi-final loss in Gladiators on March 14 has sparked fierce debate among viewers and readers, who are calling the outcome “unfair” and “a scandal” after an injury led to a dramatic late substitution in the competition.
The drama unfolded after Mo Robertson, aged 35 from Swansea, suffered a fall during the Everest challenge and required medical attention.
After being ruled out by medics, producers brought in 35-year-old teacher Tyler from Wigan as a replacement. With just two challenges left, Tyler inherited Robertson’s higher points tally, while Finn, 23, from the Lake District, had to continue competing after already facing multiple rounds.
As the episode was released early on iPlayer and aired on BBC at 7.15pm, social media exploded with strong reactions.
One user on X said: “Surely it's not fair that Tyler only does 1 event and carries over Mo's points #Gladiators.”
Another added: “That’s a joke that. Tyler does one event then wins the eliminator. Need to re-look at what happens when someone gets injured as you shouldn’t have someone completely fresh up against someone who has already done multiple events #gladiators.”
Many fans called for changes to the rules, with one post saying: “Finn, gotta take it the court of arbitration for sport.”
Readers of the Times & Star shared similar outrage.
Michelle Irvine said: "It wasn't a fair competition, for a new contestant to come in so close to the end. Fresh legs, no previous challenges complete...and for Finn to then also come so close with such a gap at the beginning to me shows he was the better contestant!
"He should be in the final!!"
Mark Baker said: "Kind of makes you think that the programme is fixed, firstly why was the other guy there when he had already been beaten in a previous round.
"Secondly, if a contestant was only one game away from the aliminator then finn should have been awarded the game and progressed to the final."
Paul Barlow said: "Said it straight away!! Guy steps in not done anything from the start, so fresh ready to go!"
Meanwhile, Suze Booth said: "It was shocking! The other lad was fresh, Finn should have gone through!!"
Others pointed out similar situations in prior episodes and previous series.
Jonathan Laing said: "Don’t you all not remember in the quarter final same thing happened to Tyler same round his opponent got injured and Tyler was eliminated but you all moan because Tyler got a 2nd chance as he was the 2nd fastest runner up Finn was unlucky and it was a very close race in the end."
As a result, Tyler progressed to the final alongside Naomi, a 40-year-old from Birmingham, while Finn and Ellie, 37, from Edinburgh, were sent home. S
Support for Finn remained strong, with Claire Alexandra Raven saying: "Well done Finn, we have been supporting you and are gutted how things went tonight."
Despite the controversy, the rules around substitutions have been in place for years, with several readers acknowledging this.
Yet for many fans, the events of the semi-final have left a sour taste, with calls for the BBC to “re-look at the rules” to prevent a repeat scenario in the future.
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