Former England rugby star Joe Marler is on the brink of a dramatic television victory, having secured his place in the final of the BBC's hit show, The Celebrity Traitors. The final episode, airing Thursday evening, will see the Harlequins legend as one of the last three 'Faithful' contestants battling to uncover the hidden 'Traitors' and win £100,000 for charity.
Joe Marler's Rugby Career and Legacy
Before captivating the nation with his detective skills, Joe Marler was a mainstay of English rugby. The Eastbourne-born prop enjoyed a 16-year professional career exclusively with London club Harlequins, having joined their academy in 2008. His home ground for over a decade and a half was the Twickenham Stoop.
Marler's tenure with the club was highly successful. He was instrumental in securing two Premiership Rugby titles and one EPCR Challenge Cup victory. On the international stage, he earned 95 caps for England, playing a key role in three Six Nations championship wins in 2016, 2017, and 2020. He announced his retirement from the sport in November 2024.
Net Worth and Traitors Earnings
Despite hanging up his boots, Marler's financial health remains robust. According to reports, his company, Joe Marler Ltd, saw its reserves increase from £594,100 in 2023 to £746,940 last year. For his appearance on The Celebrity Traitors, he, like all contestants, received a flat fee of £40,000.
The grand prize of £100,000 is destined for charities chosen by the winning celebrities. Outside of rugby and television, Marler's net worth is estimated to be around £3.8 million ($5 million), accumulated through player wages, sponsorship deals, and subsequent media work.
Mental Health Advocacy and Personal Life
Beyond the rugby pitch and the television set, Marler is a dedicated mental health campaigner. He is married to his wife, Daisy, and they are parents to four children: Pixie, Maggie, Felix, and Jasper.
In 2021, during Mental Health Awareness Week, he fronted a powerful Sky Sports documentary titled 'Big Boys Don't Cry'. The film followed Marler as he travelled the UK to open up conversations about mental health struggles, particularly focusing on breaking down stigma in male-dominated environments like professional rugby.
"I wanted to meet people who, like me, had gone down their own mental health 'rabbit holes'," Marler explained. "I hope that talking about my own mental health will get others talking about theirs and help to normalise it... I want to help spread the message that it's okay not to be okay."
As the Celebrity Traitors final approaches, all eyes are on Marler to see if his on-field determination can translate into a winning strategy on one of television's most tense game shows.
