Joe Marler Stuns Fans With Dramatic Body Transformation and Hair Transplant

Monday, 22 September 2025 at 07:19

byRugby Rucker

, the break-up came after serious financial struggles, with two of their businesses failing to file accounts for the past four years.

Rugby fans have been left stunned after former England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler revealed his new look following retirement — with the 33-year-old reportedly losing over 10kg since leaving the game.

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The tighthead, who hung up his boots in November 2024, has slimmed down noticeably and fans say he looks “like a different man” compared to his days anchoring the England scrum.

? One supporter joked: “Marler’s gone from scrummaging machine to padel machine.”
? Another added: “He looks younger now than when he was still playing!”

Since stepping away from rugby, Marler has thrown himself into padel, the fast-growing racket sport he first discovered during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“There’s that one rally you get where you feel good at it. I chase that moment,” Marler explained at a recent celebrity event.

Although he insists he’s “no good” at it, Marler has embraced padel in retirement and even joked that people are disappointed when they realise he’s not the superstar they expected:

“People think I’m really good, they book me to spread the padel gospel, then they realise I’m not good at it!”

Marler has already competed in the Pro Am Padel Tour, linking up with ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor and facing off against teams including comedian Jason Manford, alongside Britain’s No.1 padel player Aimee Gibson.

After years of embracing baldness with the same commitment he shows in a scrum, Marler has also finally gone under the knife.

Or rather, the precision tools of Dr Raja, lead hair transplant surgeon at MANUAL, the UK’s biggest name in hair restoration.

And in typical Marler fashion, he's not keeping it quiet. On the latest episode of Things People Do, Joe lifts the lid on the whole experience—from what the procedure actually felt like, to whether he considered just getting the mohawk zone topped up and leaving the rest.

“I didn’t cry… much,” Marler jokes. “I just wanted options, you know? Maybe a mullet next time. But seriously, I did it because I wanted to—and I’m chuffed.”

In the episode, Marler opens up about:

The episode also features an honest debrief with Dr Raja, who gives a behind-the-scenes look at Joe’s surgery day and clears up whether everything Joe says is technically true.

2003 World Cup hero forced into bankruptcy after divorce – sells home to Premier League ace

Here’s a closer look at FIVE former players whose lives have taken a tough turn.

? LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO

England Legend, Rugby Royalty – Bankrupt

Dallaglio remains one of the most iconic figures in English rugby. A key part of the 2003 World Cup-winning side, he earned 85 caps for England and captained the team during some of its most successful eras.

He represented the British & Irish Lions on three tours (1997, 2001, and 2005) and spent his entire club career with Wasps, winning multiple Premiership titles and European silverware. Off the field, he became a prominent pundit and charity ambassador, but his personal finances have clearly taken a major hit.

Former England No.8 and fellow 2003 World Cup hero Lawrence Dallaglio has also been hit with a bankruptcy order – confirmed on May 8, 2024.

Dallaglio had hoped to secure £3.3 million for the “idyllic” four-bedroom home in leafy Richmond, Surrey — a property he purchased at the height of his career and lived in for nearly 25 years.

However, MailOnline later revealed that he was forced to sell at a cut-price deal, taking a £600,000 loss due to mounting financial pressures.

In a twist of irony, the buyer is a rising young sports star who plays for a Premier League club.

Dallaglio’s camp has refused to comment on the situation.

? JAMES HASKELL

Former England star James Haskell is deep in financial trouble

Court documents reveal he’s locked in a legal dispute with his landlord over damage to property and equipment linked to his failed gym business.

The ex-back rower, 40, launched a F45 gym in Bath back in 2017—but the venture couldn’t survive the pandemic. Now, his company Hask 45 (Bath) Ltd is nearly £1 million in the red.

According to the latest filings, the business is battling a legal claim over unpaid rent and costly repairs, with £927,738 in total liabilities—£437,000 of which is owed to another of Haskell’s own companies.

Big plans to expand the gym chain to London and Manchester were scrapped after COVID hit. Hask 45 (Manchester) Ltdclosed in March 2021, while Hask 45 (Richmond) Ltd followed in September 2022.

Another of his companies, Hask 45 Ltd, has also filed debts of £456,367 as of May 2024.

It doesn’t stop there—two of Haskell’s other sports-related businesses are also in the red. James Haskell Health & Fitness Ltd is down £58,318, and Rugby Connections UK Ltd is £68,855 in debt.

All told, the former Wasps and England man is facing a combined £1.5 million debt pile across four firms.

? PHIL VICKERY

World Cup Winner, Former England Captain – Bankrupt

Vickery was a cornerstone of England’s front row during the 2003 World Cup triumph and earned 73 caps for his country, including stints as captain.

A two-time British & Irish Lions tourist (2001 and 2009), he also found domestic success with Gloucester and Wasps, winning the Premiership with both clubs. After retiring, he transitioned into business and media work, but his off-field ventures have now unraveled.

Phil Vickery, part of England’s iconic 2003 World Cup-winning squad, was officially declared bankrupt in March 2024.

The 48-year-old ex-prop filed a debtor’s petition himself.
He owed £97,806 to his own management company, Vix Limited – which is now in liquidation.
The company also racked up a further £71,000 in unpaid VAT, PAYE and NI contributions to HMRC.
His bankruptcy was approved on February 21, and he resigned from at least four business roles around that time.

A source close to the situation claimed Vickery had built up debts in the hundreds of thousands, affecting both business contacts and the tax office.

He’s endured a brutal run – a divorce, bankruptcy, and long spells grappling with mental health issues.

Victory shouldn’t come at this cost. And Vickery isn’t afraid to call it out.

“Victory shouldn’t cost this much, and the men and women who run this sport should be ashamed about the state some of the players who gave their lives to it are in now,” he says. “It’s not about finger pointing, it’s not about blame, it’s just trying to get across what reality is. And it’s not all doom and gloom. We’ve got some amazing guys in the squad. Incredibly successful people.”

But even the strongest have scars.

“But everyone is fighting a battle somewhere. And if a big old oaf like me can be bothered to stand up and go: ‘I’m Phil Vickery, MBE, England captain, played in three Rugby World Cups, won the European Cup, duh-duh-duh-duh-duh, and actually I’ve fucking battled and I’ve struggled, and if that helps somebody, brilliant.’”

Now he’s one of many former players taking legal action against World Rugby, the RFU, and WRU – accusing the powers-that-be of failing to protect them from the long-term damage of repeated brain trauma.

“I knew that I had issues with memory and brain,” Vickery says. “Then when I went for the scan, it came back and showed probable CTE [chronic traumatic encephalopathy], which I kind of knew before I’d even had it done. I said that to the guy: ‘I know something’s wrong with me.’ But I didn’t want to do anything about it. There are lots of people out there now who are in denial, but have got issues and problems. I know it. But anyway, that’s another story.”

Another story? Not really. It’s the story of rugby today — and it’s one that’s impossible to ignore.

? UGO MONYE

BBC Pundit, Ex-Lion – Narrow Escape

Monye enjoyed a successful professional rugby career, winning 14 caps for England between 2008 and 2012 and featuring on the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

He made over 240 appearances for Harlequins and was known for his pace, charisma, and finishing ability.

Since retirement, he has become a familiar face on rugby coverage across the BBC and TNT Sports, as well as a popular voice on podcasts and panels. While he’s still a major presence in the media, his recent financial issues may not be over yet.

Ugo Monye narrowly sidestepped bankruptcy – but only thanks to a bizarre twist involving HMRC losing track of his address.

The 41-year-old former England winger was facing a £200,000 tax bill.
HMRC had previously wound up his company, Show Me The Monye, in December 2023.
A bankruptcy petition followed – but when HMRC couldn’t locate him to serve papers, the High Court threw out the case.
At a recent hearing, the judge said: “Permission to withdraw the bankruptcy petition granted,” confirming the case couldn’t proceed.

According to The Telegraph, Monye has now signed a legally binding agreement to pay off his tax debts after avoiding being declared bankrupt.

Telegraph Sport can reveal the former England and British and Irish Lions wing entered into an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) almost two months after a bankruptcy petition against him was withdrawn by HM Revenue and Customs.

? BEN COHEN

Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen are in hot water – with reports claiming the pair are battling a £1million debt and a row with creditors.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 47, and ex-England winger Cohen, 46, called time on their 12-year relationship this month, falling victim to the so-called “Strictly curse.”

According to The Sun

Companies House has attempted to strike the firms off – but creditors have stepped in, halting the closures and piling further pressure on the pair.

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