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Joe Marler, the former England rugby star, surprised many fans when he revealed he nearly quit the popular reality show Celebrity Traitors halfway through filming. The 35-year-old opened up about the emotional turmoil he and his partner, Daisy, faced when Daisy’s grandmother passed away during the shoot. Marler explained that the news of the grandmother’s death hit them hard, prompting him to inform the producers that he wanted to leave the competition. However, Daisy persuaded him to stay, reminding him that there wasn’t much he could do at the time and encouraging him to push through until he was either voted out or eliminated naturally.
This tragic event seemed to ignite a fire within Marler, leading him to shed his self-doubt and adopt a much more aggressive and determined approach on the show. He described this shift as a way to channel his frustration and deal with the impostor syndrome he’d been feeling. Marler's newfound intensity made him one of the standout contestants, known for his sharp strategic mind and ability to identify other Traitors. Despite the Faithfuls’ overall poor record in the series, Marler managed to last three weeks and reach the final stages of the competition.
Throughout the show, Marler was close to cracking the game’s code, correctly pointing out Cat Burns and Alan Carr as the two remaining Traitors. While he successfully convinced fellow contestants Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga to target Burns, he couldn’t persuade them to vote out Carr. This led to Marler himself being voted out just before the finale, allowing Carr to claim victory. Marler’s analytical skills and willingness to call out fellow players gained him a lot of respect and attention from viewers.
In addition to his on-screen experience, Marler also touched on the financial side of the show. Contrary to what some had suggested, he revealed that he was paid less than the rumored £40,000 flat fee for contestants. According to Marler, he received £30,000, and he suspects that not every participant was paid equally. However, he didn’t seem too bothered by this, considering the payment fair for the time he spent on the show, whether it was just a couple of days or several weeks.
Marler also spoke about his final moments on another show, Claudia Winkleman’s murder mystery game, where he was outplayed by Nick Mohammed. He expressed fondness for Mohammed despite being deceived, recalling the warmth and charm Nick displayed even in the heat of competition. Reflecting on the outcome of Celebrity Traitors, Marler praised Alan Carr’s win, calling him a worthy champion.
Overall, Joe Marler’s candid admissions give a rare glimpse into the pressures and personal challenges faced by reality TV stars behind the scenes. His story highlights how life events can deeply affect even those in the spotlight and shapes how they perform under pressure.
