Former England rugby union player Joe Marler has moved to set the record straight regarding his earnings from the inaugural series of Celebrity Traitors, directly addressing and correcting an inaccurate claim that had circulated widely. The Harlequins icon, who emerged as a standout personality during the BBC's celebrity spin-off broadcast in late 2025, revealed the actual fee he received for his participation.
Marler's Earnings Revelation
Marler confirmed in an interview with The Times that he was paid a flat rate of £30,000 for appearing on the show, which filmed over three weeks in a Scottish highlands castle. This clarification came after journalist Marina Hyde suggested on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast that all celebrities received a blanket payment of £40,000 for the nine one-hour episodes.
"Yeah, Daisy (his wife) read that too," Marler stated. "She said to me, 'Hold on, I thought you only got 30?' I said, 'Yeah, I did.'" He added that he did not believe everyone was paid identically, but emphasised that the sum was still substantial, remarking, "It was 30 grand whether you lasted two days or three weeks - a no-brainer."
Marler's Traitors Journey and Impact
The 35-year-old former prop forward, who retired from rugby in 2024 after a stellar 15-year career, made it to the final episode of Celebrity Traitors. Despite a strong performance where he was the only Faithful to accurately identify the surviving Traitors, Cat Burns and Alan Carr, Marler was eliminated in a late twist that crowned Carr the winner.
His appearance on the show has significantly boosted his profile, leading to new opportunities post-retirement. Notably, he launched a podcast titled Joe Marler Will See You Now in November, where he conducts mock psychological assessments with famous guests, capitalising on his newfound fame.
Financial Context and Career Earnings
Throughout his rugby career, Marler is reported to have accumulated nearly £4 million from various sources, including sponsorship deals, his podcast, and other projects. His last contract earned him approximately £450,000 per year, providing context to his perspective on the Traitors fee as a worthwhile venture.
The celebrity edition of the show differed from the regular series by offering a flat-rate payment instead of a daily rate, a structure that Marler found agreeable despite the rumour mill suggesting higher figures.
