The Gladiators referee who said the iconic line “Gladiators ready! Contenders ready!” has died at the age of 92, the TV show said.

John Anderson was best known as the umpire in the original ITV show, which aired between 1992 and 2000, and the revamped Sky series in 2008.

The Scottish sports coach trained more than 100 Olympians and was inducted into the Coaching Hall of Fame in 2002.

The official Gladiators Instagram account shared a statement saying: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved referee, John Anderson, at the age of 92.

“Our hearts go out to his friends and family. John will forever be remembered as the iconic voice that brought us ‘Gladiators Ready! Contenders Ready!’.”

He would follow the catchphrase with a countdown, saying: “Three, two, one.”

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Mark Clattenburg, the referee in the current BBC show which began earlier this year, said: “One of the most iconic voices and will always be remembered.

“I had the most difficult task to follow him in the new series of Gladiators and watching him keep the Gladiators within the rules will always be with me!! Rest in peace legend!!”

Anderson was also head coach for the Amateur Athletics Association of England and Scottish national coach.

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Olympic sprinter Jennifer Stoute, known as Rebel on Gladiators, wrote: “He was the best. He knew how to make us laugh and get mad toooo. Best memories.”

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