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The 95-cap international is reportedly set to join the popular show
Former England prop Joe Marler is in talks to join the cast of BBC show Gladiators in the latest big move of his new life after rugby.
The former Harlequins star retired from rugby in 2024, having won 95 caps for England and helped them to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, as well as touring with the British & Irish Lions.
Known as one of the sport’s most colourful characters, Marler also represented Quins on 286 occasions and won two Premiership titles and a European Challenge Cup with the club.
After hanging up his boots, however, Marler’s post-rugby career has gone from strength to strength, with a star turn on the first ever series of Celebrity Traitors exposing him to a new group of fans.
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His dry humour saw him reach the final of the BBC show and become a favourite amongst viewers, with his appearance opening new doors for the 36-year-old.
He has since launched a new podcast for BBC Sounds called Joe Marler Will See You Now, in which he quizzes celebrity guests as a unqualified psychologist and will take it on tour later this year having already interviewed the likes of Prince Harry, Stephen Fry and Russell Howard.
However, Marler now looks set to return to our screens in a surprise move, with the front rower reportedly set to don a Lycra costume and join the cast of Gladiators later this year.
The Sun reports that he is currently in talks with the BBC to join the classic show, which was rebooted in 2024 and sees members of the public take on elite athletes in a series of physical challenges.
The full details of Marler’s proposed stint on the show are yet to be confirmed, but if he does join the cast, he will become the most high-profile Gladiator since swimmer Sharron Davies in 1995.
A source told The Sun: “Everyone is so excited about Joe’s surprise stint. It goes without saying he’s got the size, strength and muscle power to cut it as a Gladiator, but he’s also got the cheeky personality to match.”
It comes after Marler admitted he was “winging it” after hanging up his boots, claiming he did the same thing during his rugby career.
“I would say my post-rugby experiences have followed my rugby experiences in the sense that I winged it for 17 years and continue to wing it now,” he told The Guardian earlier this month.
“There’s a distinct lack of planning on my behalf. I’m just very fortunate that I’ve got some lovely people around me who are far more intelligent and attentive to detail, and navigate me in the right ways.”
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