| Personal information | |
|---|---|
Nickname | "The Giant" |
| Born | Jamie Shaun Bigg 27 August 1985 Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England |
| Occupations |
|
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 287 lb (130 kg) |
Spouse | Katie Christian (m. 2014;div. 2025) |
Jamie Shaun Bigg (born 27 August 1985) is an English former bodybuilder, firefighter and television personality, known for appearing as "Giant" on the British TV endurance sports game show Gladiators . He was the world's tallest professional bodybuilder. [1]
Jamie Shaun Bigg was born on 27 August 1985 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. His surname was changed to Johal but in recent years he has decided to revert back to the name 'Bigg'. [2] [3] Prior to working as a bodybuilder with an attempt at becoming an influencer via an online fitness coach persona, he claims to have been a firefighter. [4] [5] During his bodybuilding phase, Bigg was described as the tallest professional bodybuilder, but it was not formal and just a nickname "The Giant" for standing at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) and weighing over 20 stone (280 lb; 130 kg). [1]
Bigg used to eat around 10,000 calories a day to maintain his physique. [6] He is employed at Ilkeston Gym and Fitness. [7] [8] In January 2024, he began appearing as "Giant" on British TV endurance sports game show Gladiators . [9] [10] [11] [12] His strongest event on the show is Duel, but his drug controversies plague any claim to success. [13] During his time on the show, Bigg was criticised for previously promoting the use of anabolic steroids, despite their being Class C drugs. [14] In response, Bigg said he stopped using steroids in around October 2022 and no longer advocates their use. [15]
In 2024 Bigg appeared as Giant alongside fellow Gladiator Steel (Zack George) at Sheffield railway station, a stunt to promote the rebooted game show. [16]
In 2024 that Bigg became a pantomime dame at Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, in Beauty and the Beast from 30 November to 5 January. [17] His 2025/26 panto season was in Jack & the Beanstalk at the Winding Wheel in Chesterfield.
In 2014, he married Katie Christian, and decided to double-barrel his surname. In December 2025, he confirmed that he and Katie were divorcing. He also said he would be reverting to using his birth surname, Bigg. [2]
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Strictly Come Dancing | Terms and conditions reader | [18] |
| 2024–present | Gladiators | as Giant | [19] |