Posting on social media<\/a>, he said: “At my birth, believe it or not was Jamie Bigg. So in 2026, I’ll be reclaiming my birth name and making some big changes.”<\/p>\nThe 6ft 5in (1.96m) star, who has 52cm biceps and eats 10,000 calories a day to maintain his physique, has appeared on Gladiators since its return in 2024 and is currently playing The Giant in a production of Jack and the Beanstalk in Chesterfield.<\/p>\n
He said the name change was borne out of a desire to re-establish his own identity.<\/p>\n
Addressing his followers on Instagram, he said: “You’ll never believe what my original name was on my birth certificate… at the age of four, I lost my identity [when] I became Johal when my mum got married.<\/p>\n
“For many years, I hid behind my physique as a bodybuilder and even double-barrelled my surname when I got married.<\/p>\n
“I then went on a TV show and became a character and now that character’s more well known than I am. So who am I? Who is Jamie?<\/p>\n
“Turning 40 and getting my ADHD diagnosis and going through a divorce really reinforced the need and desire to have my own identity again.<\/p>\n
“At my birth, believe it or not was Jamie Bigg. So in 2026, I’ll be reclaiming my birth name and making some big changes.<\/p>\n
“I want to move forward with the greatest amount of transparency in all walks of my life.<\/p>\n
“So whether that’s speaking on my ADHD diagnosis and journey or helping with your fitness goals, being the best father possible or just being a better human overall, I’ll be entering 2026 as me, Jamie Bigg.”<\/p>\n