The BBC has revealed that former England rugby player Joe Marler will be known as Mauler when he joins the rebooted Gladiators as the show's first ever Celebrity Gladiator.
In a clip shared on Instagram, the Celebrity Traitors star is seen walking into the Gladiators' dressing room before turning to the camera and saying: "Mauler will see you now."
Debut in new series
Joe, who has four children with his wife Daisy, will make his debut in the new series. The dressing room behind him showed other Gladiators' names and outfits, including Steel and Legend, with 'Mauler' in between and his shirt hanging beneath.
The star made his name in rugby, playing as a prop for Harlequins and for England. In recent years he has appeared on The Wheel and joined the first series of Celebrity Traitors last year.
Other projects
He is also known for the Sky Sports documentary Big Boys Don't Cry, in which he opened up about mental health struggles, and he hosts the Joe Marler's Things People Do podcast.
Gladiators has become a huge success since it was rebooted two years ago. The sports entertainment show was popular on ITV in the 1990s, hosted by Ulrika Jonsson. It was resurrected in 2024 with The Chase star Bradley Walsh and his son Barney presenting. Three series have aired so far, and the show, now filmed in Sheffield, has been well received.
Gladiators returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2027.
