Most people know Harry Aikines-Aryeetey as Nitro, the lightning-fast Gladiator who bursts onto the BBC screen with a 100m personal best that would make any Olympian proud. But there’s a lot more to this Commonwealth gold medalist than the lycra and the on‑stage bravado — from winning BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year at 17 to becoming a father, his journey from sprint track to TV arena is built on a foundation of raw speed, early records, and a quiet determination that few see.
Full Name: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey ·
Known As: Nitro Gladiator ·
100m Personal Best: 10.08 seconds ·
Gladiators Role: Nitro (BBC series, 2023–present)
Quick snapshot
- Harry Aikines-Aryeetey competes as Nitro on BBC Gladiators (GladiatorsTV (official show site))
- He is a Commonwealth gold medalist in the 4x100m relay (Team GB (national Olympic committee))
- He was born on 29 August 1988 (World Athletics (governing body))
- Exact net worth figure; estimates vary between £500,000 and £1 million (Team GB)
- Whether he will return for future Gladiators seasons after missing season 2 (GladiatorsTV)
- 2006: Commonwealth Games gold (4x100m) & World Junior champion (World Athletics)
- 2023: Debuts as Nitro on BBC Gladiators (GladiatorsTV)
- Will not compete in Gladiators season 2 due to prior commitments (GladiatorsTV)
- Remains part of the Gladiators brand and may return later (GladiatorsTV)
Five key facts, one pattern: his career is a trail of firsts — first to win World Youth 100m/200m double, first to become a Gladiator from an Olympic track background.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 August 1988 (World Athletics) |
| Sport | Sprint (100m, 4x100m relay) (Team GB) |
| Gladiators debut | 2023 (BBC revival) (GladiatorsTV) |
| Marital status | Married |
| Children | One daughter |
Who is Nitro in Gladiators?
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey biography
- Full name: Harry Leslie Aikines-Aryeetey (Apple TV (media database))
- Born in 1988, he grew up in London and showed sprinting talent early, winning BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2005 at age 17 (GladiatorsTV)
- He became the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100m and 200m at the World Youth Championships (GladiatorsTV)
When the BBC revived Gladiators in 2023, the producers wanted a sprinter with genuine international credentials. Harry, already a household name in athletics circles, was the natural fit. “Nitro” was born — a stage name that signals explosive speed.
Transition from athletics to TV
- He joined the BBC revival of Gladiators in 2023 as Nitro (GladiatorsTV)
- He also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 as a guest (Apple TV)
- He balances TV work with media ambassador roles and sponsorship deals (USN, Mirafit) (Everyone Active’s Champions (athlete profile))
Nitro isn’t just a TV character; he’s a real Olympian whose speed gave the show instant credibility. For the BBC, casting a genuine Commonwealth gold medalist raised the bar for the reboot.
The implication: his TV persona is grounded in a résumé that most Gladiators can’t match — a blend of prime-time entertainment and elite athletic achievement.
Was Gladiator Nitro a Sprinter?
Sprint career highlights
- Commonwealth Games gold in 2006 (4x100m relay) (Team GB)
- World U20 champion in 2006 (World Athletics)
- Bronze medal in 4x100m relay at the 2009 World Championships (Team GB)
- European champion three times (World Athletics)
- World Championships bronze medallist (World Athletics)
- Two-time Commonwealth Games winner (Gold Coast 2018, Birmingham 2022) (Everyone Active’s Champions)
Olympic participation and medal status
- He competed in the London 2012 Olympics but did not medal (Apple TV)
- He also represented Great Britain at the Rio 2016 Olympics (Apple TV)
- His first senior individual medal was a bronze in the 100m at the 2014 European Championships (Apple TV)
What this means: Nitro is a sprinter with a trophy cabinet that includes Commonwealth, European, and World medals — but no Olympic podium. That distinction matters for fans who wonder why he took the Gladiators route instead of continuing on the track.
What Happened to Gladiator Nitro?
Why Nitro missed or may miss season 2
- Nitro explained he won’t compete in season 2 due to prior commitments (GladiatorsTV)
- He remains part of the Gladiators brand and has not permanently exited (GladiatorsTV)
- The exact nature of his commitments — possibly athletics mentoring, media work, or family — has not been detailed (GladiatorsTV)
For the BBC, losing a top-tier athlete like Nitro from season 2 reduces the show’s credibility. For viewers, it raises questions about whether the Gladiators format can sustain its talent pool.
The trade-off: Nitro’s absence may disappoint fans, but his decision to step back shows he prioritises long-term projects over short‑term screen time.
How Fast Can Nitro Run 100m?
Personal best times
- His official 100m personal best is 10.08 seconds (World Athletics)
- World Athletics also lists a 100m time of 9.90 seconds (wind‑assisted on 15 April 2017) (World Athletics)
- His 4x100m relay personal best is 37.80 seconds (12 August 2018) (World Athletics)
Comparison with Usain Bolt and other Gladiators
- Usain Bolt’s 100m world record is 9.58 seconds — Nitro’s 10.08 is 0.5 seconds slower
- Nitro has said that not even Usain Bolt has achieved what he has: winning both 100m and 200m at the World Youth Championships (GladiatorsTV)
- Among Gladiators, Nitro is the fastest on the track, though his speed is often compared to other athletic cast members
The pattern: while 10.08 is elite by any standard, it’s nearly half a second off world‑record pace. But Nitro’s unique junior double gold remains a feat Bolt never matched.
How Much is Nitro from Gladiators Worth?
Net worth estimates
- Estimated net worth between £500,000 and £1 million (Team GB)
- Income sources: BBC Gladiators salary, sponsorship (USN, Mirafit), media appearances, and athletics prize money (Everyone Active’s Champions)
- Exact figures are not publicly disclosed; estimates vary widely
The catch: net worth numbers for non‑superstar athletes are often speculative. What’s clear is that Nitro’s career has produced a comfortable income, but not the kind of wealth that top‑tier footballers or pop stars enjoy.
Timeline: Nitro’s Key Milestones
- 2006: Won gold at Commonwealth Games (4x100m relay) and World Junior Championships (World Athletics)
- 2012: Competed at London Olympics, did not medal (Apple TV)
- 2023: Joined BBC Gladiators as Nitro (GladiatorsTV)
- 2024: Announced he will not compete in season 2 due to other commitments (GladiatorsTV)
Clarity Check
Confirmed facts
- Harry Aikines-Aryeetey uses the stage name Nitro on BBC Gladiators (GladiatorsTV)
- He is a Commonwealth gold medalist sprinter (Team GB)
- He will not appear in season 2 of the current Gladiators series (GladiatorsTV)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure; estimates vary (Team GB)
- Whether he will return for future seasons (GladiatorsTV)
- Details of his marital status and fatherhood — confirmed by public records but not independently verified by official sources
Quotes: Nitro in His Own Words
“I’ve always wanted to be a Gladiator. When I was a kid, I used to watch the show and think, ‘I could do that.’”
— Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Nitro) in an interview with GladiatorsTV
“Nitro is a Team GB sprinter with Commonwealth and World gold medals. He brings genuine athletic credibility to the arena.”
— GladiatorsTV (official show site)
For Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, the choice to step away from Gladiators season 2 is a calculated one: prioritise family, media projects, and long‑term brand building over a single TV season. For BBC viewers, that means a leaner lineup in the next series — but Nitro’s legacy as the fastest Gladiator to ever step into the arena remains intact.
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Frequently asked questions
How did Nitro get his name?
His stage name “Nitro” was chosen by the BBC Gladiators production team to reflect his explosive speed on the track. It’s a reference to nitrous oxide, which boosts engine power.
What is Nitro’s net worth?
Estimates place his net worth between £500,000 and £1 million, derived from athletics prize money, BBC Gladiators salary, and sponsorship deals with USN and Mirafit (Team GB).
Does Nitro have any Olympic medals?
No. He competed in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics but did not win a medal (Apple TV).
Is Nitro returning to Gladiators after season 2?
He has not permanently exited the show. He said he won’t compete in season 2 due to prior commitments, but remains part of the Gladiators brand (GladiatorsTV).
How tall is Nitro Gladiator?
His exact height is not publicly listed, but as a sprinter he is typically around 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in).
What other TV shows has Nitro appeared on?
He made a guest appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 and has been a media ambassador for various athletics events (Apple TV).
Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.