Joe Marler, once renowned for his formidable presence on the rugby pitch, has found himself at the center of a whirlwind new chapter—one that’s seen him swap muddy boots for the bright lights of television studios. After hanging up his boots following a celebrated career with England, Harlequins, and the British & Irish Lions, Marler has plunged headfirst into the world of celebrity TV, and, by all accounts, it’s been a wild ride.
According to a December 26, 2025 report from The Mirror, Marler wasted no time in transitioning from rugby to television. The former England prop, famous for his eccentricity and his knack for zigging when others zagged, has quickly established himself as a fixture on British screens. His recent appearances include stints on high-profile shows such as Celebrity Traitors, The Wheel, Celebrity Gogglebox, and even a festive edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Not bad for someone who, just a year ago, was facing the daunting question: what comes next after rugby?
Marler’s TV journey began in earnest with the filming of Celebrity Traitors back in May 2025. The show not only showcased his quick wit and unique charm but also sparked an unlikely bromance with actor Nick Mohammed, nearly helping them topple eventual winner Alan Carr. Marler’s presence on the show didn’t go unnoticed—he reportedly boasted the fourth highest net worth among the cast, trailing only behind entertainment heavyweights Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross, and Stephen Fry. According to Mabumbe and cited by The Mirror, Marler’s fortune stands at a robust $5 million (£3.7 million), amassed from his rugby earnings, lucrative brand deals with the likes of Under Armour, and property investments in Surrey.
Yet, for all its glitz, this new chapter hasn’t been without its challenges. In a candid interview with the Daily Mail, Marler revealed, “Things have been so mental the last couple of months that I’ve not really been here. I’ve actually been away more than I ever was with rugby. It’ll be nice to just sit back and play loads of games.” The irony isn’t lost on him: after years of balancing family life with the relentless demands of professional sport, the world of television has proven just as—if not more—exacting.
“It’s been a wild year,” he continued. “Very up and down. After I retired last year there was a three or four month honeymoon period that felt like an extended off season. We went to Lapland with the kids. Then it dawned on me: ‘Hang on a minute, what do I do now? Who am I? What’s my purpose? How am I going to earn money for the next 40 years?’” It’s a sentiment familiar to many athletes—one moment, you’re at the center of the action, the next, you’re adrift, searching for a new identity and direction.
Marler’s honesty about the psychological challenges of retirement is both refreshing and relatable. He admitted, “I knew I had The Traitors coming up because we recorded it back in May. It was a bit of fun, but I didn’t envisage what would come off the back of it. I was still a bit lost. I reached out to a couple of team-mates and they said, ‘Mate, that’s completely normal’. I thought I had it covered but it hit me like a ton of bricks. Missing the schedule, the day-to-day, the goal setting. I spent a few months floating about, a little bit lost with it all.”
For Marler and his wife Daisy, the adjustment was a family affair. “Me and Daisy had only really known our lives together when I was away for half the year. As hard as it was for her with the four kids, we made it work. Suddenly I’m home all the time and it’s, ‘Where do I fit then? I’m in the way’. Then, when The Traitors came out, everything went nuts. I didn’t know it was going to be that big.”
The explosion of opportunity that followed was both thrilling and overwhelming. “Things just exploded. ‘Do you want to come on this? Do you want to come on that? Do you want to do Gogglebox?’ All these amazing things I’d watched as a fan. I was like, ‘Oh my God, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes’. I was saying yes to everything at the fear of not getting the opportunity again, but I then found it really hard to enjoy because it was so full on. In eight weeks I think I had three days off. I was sort of like, ‘What’s going on?’ It’s been really exciting, really fun, but also mega exhausting.”
Despite the exhaustion, Marler has found camaraderie in his new celebrity circles. The WhatsApp group from The Traitors remains active, with messages pinging back and forth between stars like Stephen Fry and Jonathan Ross. “The WhatsApp group from The Traitors is surreal,” Marler shared. “It’s constantly pinging, different things firing off. Stephen Fry is like: ‘Hello my darlings, how are you all?’ I thought it would just dry up after we finished filming in May. Everyone’s got busy lives, they’ll just crack on. What’s surprised me is how the big dogs, people like Stephen and Jonathan Ross, have also been blown away by how big The Traitors was. I’m thinking, ‘Hang on, you’ve been in the business for years’, yet even they were surprised.”
Recently, the cast reunited for a festive meal in Mayfair, organized by Jonathan Ross. Marler recounted with a laugh, “I said: ‘I’d love to come, is it OK if I wear shorts?’ Fortunately, I wore shorts and I got in. Alan Carr turned around and said, ‘Mate, when are they going to stop asking us about The Traitors?’ I said, ‘Mate, it’s all I’ve got now! I’m not the rugby player, I’m the big fat hairy guy that was on The Traitors!’ People have forgot that I played rugby. I was like, ‘I need it a little bit longer Alan!’”
Even as TV keeps him busy, Marler hasn’t abandoned rugby altogether. He’s taken on a role as welfare officer for the England rugby team, visiting Steve Borthwick’s squad during the recent autumn internationals to ensure players are getting the rest and support they need. It’s a position that lets him give back to the sport that shaped him, all while forging a new identity off the field.
For Joe Marler, the past year has been a rollercoaster—one filled with new challenges, unexpected friendships, and a fair share of exhaustion. But if his rugby career taught him anything, it’s how to keep pushing forward, even when the path ahead looks nothing like the one left behind.