Gladiators star The Giant has revealed he is changing his last name after going through a divorce.

It was reported in November that the bodybuilder had split from his wife, Katie, and now he has revealed his plans to ‘reclaim his identity’ in 2026.

The Giant, whose real name was Jamie Christian-Johal, has said he will now go by his birth name, Jamie Bigg.

Speaking to The Sun, James said: ‘At the age four, I lost my identity, my name became Johal when my mum got married.

‘For many years, I hid behind my physique as a bodybuilder and even double barrelled my surname when I got married.’

Jamie went on to say that he further felt he lost his identity after getting his Gladiator name – as The Giant became more well known than himself.

Gladiators star The Giant has revealed he is changing his last name after going through a divorce (Seen in 2023)
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Gladiators star The Giant has revealed he is changing his last name after going through a divorce (Seen in 2023)

It was reported in November that the bodybuilder had split from his wife, Katie, and now he has revealed his plans to 'reclaim his identity' in 2026 (Seen together in February)
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It was reported in November that the bodybuilder had split from his wife, Katie, and now he has revealed his plans to ‘reclaim his identity’ in 2026 (Seen together in February)

‘Turning 40, getting my ADHD diagnosis and going through a divorce, really reinforced the need and desire to have my own identity again,’ he added, before confirming the return to his surname Bigg.

James had hoped that his appearance on the hit BBC show would help him spend more time with his wife and children.

Instead, he said in November his schedule became even busier, with the pressures of fame and the demands of bodybuilding playing a role in their separation.

In a new interview with The Sun, he explained: ‘There wasn’t a lot of money on the table.

He continued: ‘I actually became busier, not quieter, so I wouldn’t say I gave them any more time.’

In the wake of their breakup, both Jamie and Katie have reportedly unfollowed each other on social media and removed each other’s photos.

Katie also posted a cryptic message to her social media, seemingly hinting at the end of their relationship, saying: ‘Next year I’m dating the s**t out of myself.’

In another post, she shared a stunning swimwear snap with the caption: ‘What makes me confident? Knowing I’m not for everyone.’

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The Giant, whose real name was Jamie Christian-Johal, has said he will now go by his birth name, Jamie Bigg
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The Giant, whose real name was Jamie Christian-Johal, has said he will now go by his birth name, Jamie Bigg

Speaking to The Sun, James said: 'At the age four, I lost my identity, my name became Johal when my mum got married (Giant seen with Steel and Apollo on the show)
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Speaking to The Sun, James said: ‘At the age four, I lost my identity, my name became Johal when my mum got married (Giant seen with Steel and Apollo on the show)

Jamie, who joined the cast of the BBC’s Gladiators reboot in 2024, also opened up about how bodybuilding is tough on relationships.

Speaking on the To The Heart Of It podcast last week, he said: ‘Bodybuilding is tough on relationships. It’s tough on the kids.

‘There were always ups and downs because of bodybuilding, because of how much it took away from you and the relationship.

‘So I always said to my partner and kids, “I’ll probably live my life backwards, concentrate on me in the first part and then once I leave bodybuilding, it’s all about you”.

‘Like that’s when I’m going to give back, because I need to get myself here before I can give you what you need physically, financially, emotionally, everything.

‘In any case, that was part of my decision for becoming a Gladiator, because I was like, OK, this opportunity is going to give me the chance to be a better husband, better father.’

He went on: ‘New opportunities, new life etc. In actual fact, it was such a shake-up of life and what was required of me, I actually became busier, not quieter.

‘So I wouldn’t say I gave them any more time, but what I was able to do was give them more balance and more of me in a less robotic nature, which in fact was a benefit and a negative.

‘Because I think I realised parts about my personality and self that weren’t true of that bodybuilder, robot Jamie.

‘I was perhaps more outgoing and outward thinking and more social than certain people imagined, which then caused friction as well.’

The Daily Mail contacted Jamie’s representatives for comment at the time.