Rugby Star Joe Marler Crowned Winner of ’Celebrity Traitors‘ – From On-Field Antics to Reality TV Triumph
Joe Marler, the recently retired England and Harlequins rugby prop known for his combative style on the pitch and candid discussions about mental health, has been revealed as the winner of the BBC reality show Celebrity Traitors. The announcement, made Friday, caps a surprising post-rugby career turn for the 36-year-old, who previously captivated fans with his autobiography and advocacy work.
Marler’s victory marks a significant shift in public perception for a player once defined by on-field aggression and controversial incidents. throughout his 82-cap international career, he faced suspensions for various offenses, including allegations of verbal abuse. However, in recent years, Marler has become increasingly open about his struggles with depression and the “toxic masculinity” prevalent in rugby culture, transforming into a mental health advocate and challenging conventional norms within the sport. This journey, detailed in his 2021 autobiography Loose Head: Confessions of an (un)professional rugby player, and subsequent interviews, has resonated with a wider audience, culminating in his unexpected success on Celebrity Traitors.
Marler revealed in his autobiography and interviews that his behavior was frequently enough masked by underlying mental health issues. He recounted smashing up his kitchen after upsetting his wife over an incident involving a squirrel, prompting him to seek help. He subsequently began medication and therapy, and now serves as an ambassador for the charity Calm (Campaign against living miserably), featuring in a Sky documentary, Big Boys Don’t Cry, and hosting a podcast focused on men’s mental health.
Following his retirement from professional rugby, Marler expressed regret for past treatment of teammates, stating in a recent podcast: “in that environment … you have to be that alpha, it’s the toxic masculinity often described as poisonous … I look back at that and go, fuck, the amount of people I’ve made uncomfortable – I don’t want to do that now, I don’t want to be like that now.”
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 988 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
