By Samantha Jones-
Gladiators star Giant, also known as Jamie Christian-Johal, has come under scrutiny after an old YouTube clip resurfaced, revealing his boastful admission about taking dangerous steroids.
The former firefighter from Ilkeston, a standout in the rebooted 90s Saturday night classic, is now facing criticism for his cavalier attitude towards substances that can have severe health implications.
Giant, who gained fame in the first two episodes of the revamped Gladiators, confessed in a video titled “Take this and you will get big” about using muscle-boosting Class C drugs, known for potential risks such as heart attacks, kidney failure, and mental trauma.
The revelation has sparked concerns about the prevalence of substance abuse, particularly among individuals in the fitness and bodybuilding industry.
The Gladiator boasted about his steroid use, claiming, “I already had eight years of training under my belt and I had already competed twice.
And I got some phenomenal gains off that.” He went on to criticize others in the industry, stating, “I know a lot of guys taking a lot of drugs and they are small and out of shape.” Giant argued that success in the field is more about training, nutrition, and lifestyle.
In another clip, he disclosed that he didn’t start taking steroids until he was 24 years old, further raising questions about the influence of such substances in his career.
While Giant asserted that he stopped using steroids at the end of 2022 and does not advocate their use, the implications of his admission have prompted scrutiny.
The controversy extends beyond steroid use, as the Gladiator also faces allegations of boasting about cocaine consumption. The resurfaced video has added fuel to the fire, leading to concerns about the influence such public figures may have on their audience, particularly younger viewers who may be fans of the show.
Anabolic steroids, classified as Class C drugs, are legal for use but require a prescription from pharmacists. Selling them illegally can result in severe penalties, including an unlimited fine or a jail term of up to 14 years.
The side effects of anabolic steroids include reduced sperm count, infertility, shrunken testicles, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, breast development, and an increased risk of prostate cancer.
The impact on the Gladiators production has been notable, with reports suggesting the show is in chaos following the emergence of the video.