Gladiators star Cobra has dished the dirt on all the behind-the-scenes secrets of the popular competition game show.
Michael Wilson, 55, has divulged on details regarding sex, drugs, and partying in a candid interview, explaining that the cast were 'having so much fun' while 'boozing all night' during end of show parties.
With their beefy bods and stunning good looks, Cobra also explained to The Mirror that there was a lot of sizzling romances amongst the singletons, which would result in a lot of 'noisy bedroom action.'
Lifting the lid: Gladiators star Cobra, 55, has dished the dirt on all the behind-the-scenes secrets of the popular competition game show
Explaining that they were all of 'similar age with similar interests', Michael explained: 'I used to drink too much during the first three years, we didn’t know whether we would be asked back, so we would party. Ironically I never used to drink a drop before I was on Gladiators.'
Despite having booze regularly flowing thanks to hospitality twice a day, he revealed that they would often be warned about their drinking habits by producers who enforced 'school reports.'
Speaking about the steamy antics between cast, Michael noted that there were a lot of 'off screen romance' - confessing that 'the room next to me was noisy. Every now and again there was a bit of banging on the walls.'
With the talk turning more serious, he spoke of the show's 'star' Gladiator Shadow battling a serious drug problem.
Michael Wilson has divulged on details regarding sex, drugs, and partying, explaining that the cast were 'having so much fun' while 'boozing all night' (Pictured Hunter)
'Noisy bedrooms actions': With their beefy bods and good looks, Cobra also explained that there was a lot of sizzling romances amongst the singletons (Pictured Amazon)
Shadow, real name Jefferson King, had been doing cocaine and steroids for six months, however producers kept 'turning a blind eye' to the issue.
This comes after Cobra detailed his own plight, revealing that he is back on the mend after undergoing a hip replacement weeks after battling pneumonia earlier this year.
Michael was said to be seriously ill back in April as he battled a number of health problems including severe acute pancreatitis and pleurisy, a condition which causes sharp chest pains.
And despite having his hip replacement operation only two weeks ago, Michael has delightedly revealed that he is back in the gym and is feeling 'optimistic'.
Road to recovery: This comes after Cobra revealed that he is back on the mend after undergoing a hip replacement weeks after battling pneumonia earlier this year
After being treated for his health woes earlier this year, Michael told Mirror Online that he has 'recovered really quick' despite still waiting on a bicep repair, new shoulder next year and getting his other hip done in the next three months.
'I’m been going to the gym. Keeping the muscles strong. I’m going in every other day. I’ve got a great personal trainer who helps old blokes who are falling apart.
Proving that his friendships from his Gladiator days were still strong, Michael explained that his former castmates such as Hunter, Rhino and Ace broke down into tears when they found out what he was going through.
Woes: Michael was said to be seriously ill back in April as he battled severe acute pancreatitis and pleurisy, a condition which causes sharp chest pains
On the mend: Despite having his hip replacement operation only two weeks ago, Michael has delightedly revealed that he is back in the gym and is feeling 'optimistic'
Michael revealed: 'Wolf text me the other day. They all phoned and sent loads of abusive texts, big butch men can’t be too sentimental. A few broke down when they heard I really wasn’t well - Hunter, Ace, Puma, Rhino.'
'I was really ill in that hospital. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get out. Now every day I see as a bonus,' he admitted.
Back in April, Michael detailed his plight to The Sun as he suffered from a range of health problems.
'Optimistic': Michael revealed that he has 'recovered really quick' despite still waiting on a bicep repair, new shoulder next year and getting his other hip done in the next three months
Mr Willson told the Sun: 'I'm only half a Gladiator now. It's been touch and go. I don't feel like I'm kicking the bucket at the minute, but it will only take another cold or cough and I'm in trouble.'
He added: 'I pushed the limit and listened to silly Arnold Schwarzenegger saying you've got to take more pain than your competitors.
'But pain is your body saying "oi, pack it in". You need to pull back, not push through. But for 20-plus years I was: push, push, push.'
So far Mr Willson has been in the hospital in Kent for three weeks, having been hospitalised before Christmas as well after his pancreas swelled up.
He also claimed that his co-stars including James Crossley, who was known as Hunter, are far healthier because they didn't 'self-inflict' pain by carrying on.
Troubles: Back in April, Michael detailed his plight to The Sun as he suffered from a range of health problems
He said: 'I'm only half a Gladiator now. It's been touch and go. I don't feel like I'm kicking the bucket at the minute, but it will only take another cold or cough and I'm in trouble'
Mr Wilson added: 'I pushed the limit and listened to silly Arnold Schwarzenegger saying you've got to take more pain than your competitors'
Mr Wilson said that he once fractured his hip on the ITV show but carried on regardless - without telling the show's producers.
He also powered through a number of spinal injuries.
Gladiators, which ran from 1992 until 2000, regularly pulled in more than 12million viewers.
Mr Wilson was known for his high-kicks and splits on the widely popular show.
In October last year, some of the original cast - Ace, Panther, Cobra, Jet, Hunter and Scorpio - reunited at a convention.
The group posed together at a TV, Film, Comic and Memorabilia Convention called Stoke CON Trent in Staffordshire.
Mr Wilson slipped into his old costume and revealed his incredible guns for the cameras.
Cobra: Michael Wilson, 55
Colours of the rainbow: Now living in the West Midlands, Michael spends his time making watercolour paintings
Moving on: Kirsty Gallacher, meanwhile, chose not to return and Caroline Flack joined Wright as part of the presenting team instead for the show revival's second series
Name: Michael Wilson aka Cobra
Age: 55
Gladiator history: Thanks to his quick-thinking and agility he became a master of the Hang Tough ring and was also the best Duel podium contender having never been knocked off. He became a fan-favourite Gladiator alongside the likes of Shadow, Wolf, Jet, Lightning and Hunter.
Fun fact: Proving that good things can come in small packages, Cobra - whose real name is Michael Wilson - didn't let his tiny height get in the way of victory.
The former bodybuilder, right, is suffering from a number of health problems including severe acute pancreatitis and pleurisy, a condition which causes sharp chest pains
Now living in the West Midlands, Michael spends his time making watercolour paintings
Mr Willson was known for his high-kicks and splits on the popular ITV show
Way back when! Every Saturday night, millions of viewers watched as muscle-bound rivals toppled each other off podiums, faced off against brave contestants and wrestled each other to the ground in a bid to be crowned the series' champion
Daily Mail UK
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