Joe Marler: 10 Things to Know About the Former England Star Ahead of Celebrity Traitors

As he swaps the pitch for the Round Table in this year’s Celebrity Traitors, fans may be seeing a different side to the former England and Harlequins prop.

Whether you're new to his antics or a long time supporter, here are ten things you should know about Joe Marler.

Born in Eastbourne, East Sussex on July 7, 1990, Marler grew up in the small town of Maynards Green. He attended Maynards Green Primary and Heathfield Community College. His rugby journey began aged 11 with Eastbourne Sharks, and by his teens, he was already representing Sussex U14–18 and the London & South East regional team.

Before he became a household name, Marler cut his teeth playing for Haywards Heath RFC, where future England teammate Billy Twelvetrees also played. That foundation in grassroots rugby laid the groundwork for what would become a highly successful professional career.

Marler’s professional home was Harlequins. He joined their academy in 2008, debuted in the 2009-10 season, and went on to make 286 appearances before retiring in 2024. He became a fan favourite not only for his work at the scrum but for embodying the spirit of the club for over a decade as the club won TWO Premiership titles.

Joe made his England debut during the 2012 summer tour of South Africa and went on to earn 95 caps. His career included appearances in three Rugby World Cups (2015, 2019, and 2023), including the final in 2019. Although he retired from international rugby in 2018, he later returned, a move that paid off with a World Cup silver medal.

One highlight? Leading the team out on his 50th cap against Scotland in 2017.

Marler is married to Daisy Marler. The couple have four children Pixie, Maggie, Felix, and Jasper.

Marler’s playing style was as dependable as it was relentless. Known as one of the world’s top loosehead props during his prime, he mixed brute strength with a fierce competitive edge.

Yet his leadership came with levity—he wasn’t afraid to laugh, joke, or stir the pot on the field.

In 2017, Marler was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand—a major honour. He played in five tour matches but didn’t feature in the Test series against the All Blacks. Still, being part of the elite squad was a testament to his standing in the game.

Marler’s quick wit and sharp tongue often delighted fans—but occasionally landed him in hot water. He was fined and banned in 2016 for making remarks towards Samson Lee, and in 2020, received a 10-week ban for grabbing Alun Wyn Jones inappropriately during a Six Nations match. He also received a suspended ban in 2022 for insulting comments made on the pitch. Despite the missteps, most of his antics were viewed as cheeky rather than malicious.

Off the field, Marler is known for his honesty and eccentricity. He’s described himself as both an introvert and extrovert, and his dry wit often has fans in stitches. Truly a unique character, Marler's comedic timing and delivery of jokes make him one of the most likeable players to have ever played the sport. Expect plenty of personality on his Celebrity Traitors cameo.

Since retiring from rugby, he is now a podcast host for his own comedy podcast where he interviews people about their jobs, called 'Joe Marler's Things People Do.'

He also appeared on a Celebrity drag queen contest. Fans loved the glitz and glam of the show and all made the same demand. They simply couldn’t get enough of Joe Marler as ‘Trixie Turnover’.

In 2021, Marler fronted the Sky Sports documentary Big Boys Don’t Cry, in which he opened up about his battle with depression.

“I met a psychiatrist, got an evaluation, had several sessions with him and was put on anti-depressants,” he revealed. “It's not a quick fix, or a fix at all. It’s more of a growth thing… I could be on anti-depressants for six months, six years, or the rest of my life.”

Through the film, he helped de-stigmatise mental health in rugby, showing vulnerability behind the tough exterior.