Former England rugby star Joe Marler has disclosed the extraordinary lengths he went to in order to secure a place on the hit BBC reality show, The Celebrity Traitors. The 35-year-old athlete revealed he was such a devoted fan of the programme that he initially offered to pay for his own participation, a move he himself described as "bonkers".
From Superfan to Finalist
Marler detailed his unusual proposition during an appearance on Waitrose's Dish podcast. His enthusiasm for the show ultimately paid off, as he was cast and managed to navigate his way to the final, which aired earlier this year. His journey was ultimately cut short by comedian Nick Mohammed, who successfully ousted him from the game.
Reflecting on the experience, Marler expressed his particular enjoyment at the chance to interact with and attempt to outsmart a roster of famous fellow contestants. He namedropped icons including Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross, and Celia Imrie as particularly memorable adversaries in the psychological game of deception.
Faithful to the End, But No Traitor's Return
Throughout the series, Marler played as a Faithful, one of the contestants tasked with identifying the secret Traitors among them. Despite his deep enjoyment of the game, the sportsman stated he would not be keen to return to the show in the future if it meant taking on the role of a Traitor.
The series was eventually won by comedian Alan Carr, who demonstrated significant generosity with his victory. Carr donated his entire £87,500 prize fund to the charity Neuroblastoma UK, a gesture that marked a poignant end to the tense competition.
Marler's revelation offers a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of one of the BBC's most popular reality formats, highlighting the surprising dedication of its celebrity participants.
