Joe Marler has revealed an awkward moment from The Celebrity Traitors, disclosing the peculiar instruction that left him confused when he first met fellow contestant Celia Imrie. The former England rugby player, 36, spoke candidly about his initial encounter with the 74-year-old actress on the BBC reality programme, confessing he felt anxious before filming had even commenced.
Marler featured alongside Imrie on the show, which sees well-known personalities attempting to identify the Traitors concealed among them. While contestants are expected to form connections during the competition, Marler disclosed there was a firm directive from producers that he found especially hard to comprehend.
Strict Producer Rule Left Marler Baffled
Speaking to Imrie on his podcast, Joe Marler Will See You Now, the pair reflected on their first meeting, with the actress noting how much he had been laughing when they initially encountered one another.
"Now, the thing is, what I love about you is, Joe, the minute you see me, you start laughing," Celia said. Joe acknowledged he couldn't contain himself, explaining that their first interaction had left him feeling notably giddy.
He recalled climbing into a Land Rover, where he was informed another contestant would shortly be joining him, but was forbidden from speaking to them until cameras began recording.
"'Don't speak to them. You don't know who they are'," he remembered being instructed. "I went, 'What do you mean, don't speak to him?' Like, 'That's so rude.'"
Giggling Before the Cameras Rolled
Marler explained that he had been sitting in the vehicle covering his face when he heard the door open and Imrie climbed in beside him. The former rugby player said he was already chuckling by the time she entered, despite having no idea who he was about to encounter.
Imrie remembered that Marler had been laughing almost straight away, while he confessed his nerves had taken over. "I was so nervous. I was giggling," he said. He then described glancing at his new companion and wondering why she was laughing, before suddenly realising precisely who had joined him. "And I was like, 'It's Celia Imrie'," Joe recalled.
Marler added that he felt equally thrilled seeing her again for the podcast, with Imrie confirming she felt the same way. The pair also reflected on their time on the programme, having not properly reunited since watching the show's final.
Finale and Memorable Elimination
Marler reached the final of the BBC competition, which saw numerous high-profile personalities face challenging missions and tough choices. Imrie was eliminated in a dramatic twist after being murdered in plain sight by eventual winner comedian Alan Carr.
Carr was given the task of delivering a toast and saying "parting is such sweet sorrow" before naming Imrie as his victim. Prior to her departure, Imrie delivered one of the series' most unforgettable moments after breaking wind during a tense mission in a cabin. The incident left her fellow contestants laughing, while presenter Claudia Winkleman asked: "What just happened?" Imrie responded: "I just farted, Claudia. It's nerves, but I always own up."
