Rugby star Joe Marler has spoken publicly for the first time about his heartbreaking elimination from the final of BBC's Celebrity Traitors, revealing how a last-minute betrayal cost him the chance to win £97,500 for charity.
The Final Betrayal
During an appearance on Saturday Kitchen, Marler described the dramatic final roundtable where his game unravelled. The Harlequins prop had developed what he believed was a solid strategy to unmask the remaining Traitors - comedian Alan Carr and singer Cat Burns.
"He didn't stick to my plan, he went with his gut, which was a shame," Marler confessed about fellow contestant Nick Mohammed's decisive vote that led to his banishment.
Despite the betrayal, Marler expressed affection for Mohammed, noting: "I still was so in love with him, because that little dicky bow, his little face, the three little love hearts he put by my name... although in that moment, I was heartbroken."
Game Strategy Unravels
The rugby international proved himself as the ultimate Faithful throughout the murder mystery game show hosted by Claudia Winkleman, winning over viewers with his ruthless approach to identifying the Traitors.
Marler admitted his competitive sporting instincts "kicked in" after initially attempting to mimic Sir Stephen Fry's demeanour. He became determined to win, though he constantly doubted his decisions.
He recalled one particularly tense roundtable where he voted out actor Mark Bonnar, influenced by having watched him play a villain in Line of Duty. "And I got it completely wrong, I felt so bad," Marler admitted.
Life Beyond Rugby
The reality show experience provided Marler with some perspective about his fame outside the sporting world. He shared an amusing early exchange with fellow contestant Lucy Beaumont, who questioned him about his profession.
"She was like, 'What is it you do then?' and I went, 'Oh I play rugby,' and she went, 'Like rugby union or league or something like that?'" Marler recalled. "It made me go, well who am I actually?"
Despite the disappointing finish, Marler had nothing but praise for ultimate winner Alan Carr, describing the comedian as "what a winner" after he successfully claimed the entire prize pot for his chosen charity.
The Celebrity Traitors is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, featuring all the dramatic moments from Claudia Winkleman's hit reality series.
