Traitors star Joe Marler to become BBC's first celebrity Gladiator
The former rugby star will be known as Mauler when the fourth series airs in 2027, the BBC confirmed.
Former rugby player Joe Marler will become the first celebrity participant on the popular BBC show Gladiators when its fourth series debuts in 2027, according to the outlet. At 36 years old, Marler, who previously competed in Celebrity Traitors, will be referred to as Mauler in the program. He announced the news in a video posted on Instagram, filmed in the Gladiators dressing room.
The BBC stated that Marler will kick off the series with a series of special appearances filled with power, personality, and surprises. The corporation described Marler as one of the UK's most entertaining sporting personalities, known for his uncompromising play style and larger-than-life sense of humor. Marler, originally from Heathfield, Sussex, will join other Gladiators like Nitro, Viper, Diamond, and Sabre when the show returns next year.
Gladiators, a hit program on ITV in the 1990s, saw ordinary citizens challenge a team of elite athletes, each with their own on-screen persona. Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, who was also a well-known sports personality, joined the show in that iteration as Amazon. The format was revived by Sky for two series in 2008, and the current iteration launched on BBC One in 2024, quickly gaining popularity.
A separate celebrity spin-off of the show is in development, featuring contestants such as presenters AJ Odudu and Sara Pascoe, podcaster Chris Ramsey, and social media star George Clarke.
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