Joe Marler has revealed that his son's adoration for the Gladiators prompted him to join the BBC show as a permanent cast member, taking on the new name 'Mauler'. The former rugby star, who earned 95 England caps, will appear in the upcoming series of the rebooted programme, which returns to BBC One and iPlayer in 2027.
Marler, known for his physical style of play and outrageous mohican, explained that his youngest son's reaction to meeting a Gladiator in person convinced him to accept the offer. Speaking to Love Sunday magazine, he described how his son, usually shy, confidently approached Nitro when they met.
Son's encounter with Nitro sealed the deal
"My kids love it, particularly my youngest boy," Marler said. "We walked past Nitro and he says, 'Daddy, it's Nitro!' He walked over like, 'Hi, Nitro.' And I'm like, 'What? Who is this? You barely say hello to family members, but you've gone straight up to Nitro.'"
He added: "So when the call came in to say, 'We'd like you to be a Gladiator if you fancy it,' it was a definite yes." The contrast with his earlier experience at Soccer Aid, where his son was too shy to let go of his hand, highlighted how much the Gladiators meant to the boy.
Training for the Gladiator look
Since retiring from rugby, Marler has struggled to get into shape for the tight outfits Gladiators are expected to wear. He even asked bosses if he could be the first 'baggy' clothes-wearing Gladiator, but was refused. "So, I'm going to need a little bit of time to get as close to Gladiator-ready as possible," he explained.
He is currently in training and already filming in Sheffield ahead of the programme's return. The rebooted Gladiators, hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son Barney, has become one of the BBC's most-watched shows since its return in 2024.
Cast changes and celebrity appearances
Celebrities such as Sam Thompson and Joe Wicks have taken part in the celebrity version in previous episodes. The new series follows the departure of Giant, Bionic, Athena and Cyclone, with various replacements being announced by the BBC.
Marler's transition from rugby legend to Gladiator brute marks a significant career shift, and his son's influence has been central to the decision.
