John Anderson, the beloved referee of the original Gladiators TV show, has passed away at the age of 92. Known for his iconic catchphrase 'Contender ready! Gladiator ready!', Anderson became a household name in the UK during his tenure from 1992 to 2000. Before his fame on television, he was a celebrated track and field coach, notably guiding Dave Moorcroft to break the 5000m world record in 1982, along with coaching several other Olympians. Moorcroft praised Anderson's ability to inspire athletes, stating that he transformed lives and instilled confidence in them. Anderson's coaching legacy spans over 170 Team GB athletes and included roles as a National Coach for the AAA of England, with experience in every Olympic Games from 1964 to 2000. His contributions to sports and television have left an indelible mark on both fields.