Joe Marler, the former England rugby star and contestant on the BBC's Celebrity Traitors, has disclosed his payment for the show, suggesting that some fellow celebrities received higher fees. Speaking to The Times, Marler addressed reports that each of the 19 participants was paid £40,000, revealing he received only £30,000.
Marler said his wife Daisy questioned the discrepancy after reading the tabloid reports. 'She said to me, “Hold on, I thought you only got 30?” I said, “Yeah, I did.” So no, I don’t think everyone got paid the same,' he explained. Despite the difference, Marler said he was 'not bothered' and described the £30,000 fee as 'a no-brainer' regardless of how long he lasted in the competition.
The BBC declined to comment on the pay details when contacted by The Independent. Marler's comments come after the BBC confirmed a second season of Celebrity Traitors following the success of the inaugural series, which achieved the broadcaster's highest overnight ratings for an entertainment show since the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special.
Marler, who was labelled a 'genius' Faithful by viewers, correctly identified Cat Burns and Alan Carr as the remaining Traitors but failed to convince fellow contestants Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga of his theory. Mohammed's decision to vote out Marler in the final shocked viewers, with Marler admitting he was 'heartbroken' by the betrayal.
In the final, Mohammed, Olusoga and Carr voted to end the game, and Carr revealed he had been a Traitor throughout, winning the £87,500 prize for his chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK.
