Rugby star's devastating news during filming
Former England rugby player Joe Marler has revealed he came close to leaving the hit BBC show Celebrity Traitors after receiving heartbreaking family news during production. The sports star, who became a fan favourite during the series, admitted he nearly walked away from the competition when his wife's grandmother passed away while filming was underway.
Marler explained that producers were already aware the family member was terminally ill. "I went to them and said: 'That's me done,'" he told The Times in a recent interview. "They were great — I was leaving."
However, a phone call from his wife Daisy changed everything. She reportedly told him: "Look, there's not a lot you can do right now, so just stay up there until you get kicked out." This conversation proved to be a turning point not just for Marler's personal journey, but for his entire approach to the game.
Transformation from imposter to game-changer
The emotional phone call marked a significant shift in Marler's mindset. "That was the moment that I was like, right, I've had enough of this impostor syndrome," he confessed. The rugby star decided to completely change his strategy, adopting a more aggressive approach to the game.
Marler described his new philosophy: "I'm gonna ramp it up, go hell for leather, and if I get banished or murdered, it's a win — I can go home." This change in attitude immediately paid dividends when he successfully targeted veteran TV presenter Jonathan Ross, leading to the first Traitor being eliminated by the Faithful contestants.
Despite his newfound success in the game, Marler maintained a characteristically humble perspective. "I enjoyed it so much, this fantastic game!" he explained. "But yeah, the whole point of a game is to win it and the rest of the time I was eating."
Alan Carr's triumphant victory and career resurgence
The series concluded last week with comedian Alan Carr emerging victorious after an extremely dramatic finale. Carr managed to trick fellow contestants Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga into banishing Joe Marler, unaware that he was actually a Faithful.
Carr's win secured £87,500 for his chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, and has sparked what many are calling a career resurgence for the comedian. Since his Traitors victory, industry rumours have suggested that the BBC is considering reviving his former chat show Chatty Man.
Even more significantly, Carr has been linked with one of the biggest jobs in British television. Industry sources indicate he's being touted as a potential replacement host on Strictly Come Dancing, following announcements that current presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are stepping down.
A source told The Mirror: "Alan's comedy talents were showcased perfectly in the Traitors castle, and it's reminded many people just how funny he is. Even people who claimed they didn't like him before have loved watching him laugh and lie his way through the episodes."
Despite Marler's popularity with viewers and his crucial role in eliminating Jonathan Ross, he admits that his own children preferred winner Alan Carr. The series has proven to be a massive success for the BBC, with confirmation that Celebrity Traitors will return for a second season.
