The Gladiator Is A Flab-Iator

Docs warn 270-lb Russell Crowe’s weight explosion could be fatal!

GLADIATOR star Russell Crowe has packed on so much weight, he looks like he couldn’t fight his way off of a couch — and doctors warn the movie chunk is facing a deadly health crisis.

Recent photos show the 53-year-old actor, who’s shaved his head, looking bloated and flabby.

“He looks like he’s 270 pounds,” estimates an eyewitness.

A source says Russell has a history of gaining and losing weight for movies, “but he just can’t seem to get rid of the extra pounds this time.”

And doctors warn his inand-out waistline puts him at higher risk for deadly diseases and wrecking his metabolism.