The Celebrity Traitors' Joe Marler: His estranged parents and how his mental health rocked his marriage
He also came up with the convincing 'big dog' theory...
Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler has proved himself to be one of viewers’ favourites up in the Scottish highlands – but who is he?
The rugby player is just one of the 19 famous faces who signed up to the BBC spin-off show to score money for charity.
While Joe is a heavyweight in his own right, he is playing off against some national treasures to take home the cash prize.
As well as Stephen Fry and Jonathan Ross roaming the castle, Joe is joined by Alan Carr and Kate Garraway among others.
But there’s more to him than his muscles. Here’s everything you need to know about Joe Marler, including his age, whether he is married – and why he’s just so beloved right now.
Celebrity Traitors: Who is Joe Marler and how old is he?
Joe was born on July 7, 1990. This makes him 35 years old. He grew up in East Sussex but little is know about his childhood – aside from his love of rugby.
He started playing for local club, The Eastbourne Sharks, when he was 11. He went on to play for the Sussex U14-18 team, as well as representing London and the South East in 2006.
When asked about his parents by The Times in 2022, however, Joe said they were no longer in touch. He told the publication: “I haven’t spoken to my mum for seven years and my dad for four.”
If his parents were still alive, Joe said at the time: “As far as I know.”
Joe Marler’s rugby career
Playing as a prop, Joe joined the Harlequins Academy in 2008 before joining the Twickenham team’s first side in 2009-10 season. He was an integral part in the team’s success.
In 2011, Joe was part of the Harlequins’ first-division squad which defeated the Leicester Tigers, seeing them win their first league titled. It was a feat they replicated in 2021.
In 2010, Joe joined England’s national rugby team, before being a regular in the starting line-up from 2013. In 2015, he was announced captain. This saw him lead the team to victory against France to win a grand slam title in 2016.
In total, Joe warned 95 caps, representing his country in three Rugby World Cups (2015, 2019, 2023) and lifting the Guinness Men’s Six Nations title in 2016, 2017 and 2020.
Why did Joe Marler retire?
Joe took a step back from the scrum in 2024. He said at the time: “The time has come to finally jump off the rollercoaster and walk away from this beautifully brutal game. After all these happy years, it’s over.”
He also said: “I’m incredibly grateful I got to play 95 times for my country. I have to pinch myself. Did I really do that?”
Is Joe Marler still married?
Joe married his wife Daisy in 2017, and the pair share four children together; Pixie, Maggie, Felix and Jasper.
Joe has previously spoken openly about his battle with his mental health. He previously admitted his relationship with Daisy struggled during “low points”.
Speaking on the High Performance podcast previously, Joe recalls a “low point” in his relationship after depression crept in.
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“[I was] punching the walls, punching the doors in,” he said. “I just left, I left her and said ‘I’m gone’.”
Joe added: “That image of her lying on the floor crying her eyes out seven months pregnant, like that’s burnt into my memory of my most ashamed I’ve been.”
Joe and Daisy are still married. In fact, the couple are stronger than ever. Joe has now becoming an advocate to get men talking about their emotional wellbeing.
Part of Joe’s decision to retire from rugby was so he could spend more time with his children.
Joe Marler: Mental health
In 2020, Joe released the memoir Loose Head, which candidly looked at his mental health battles. He also spoke about taking antidepressants.
“It’s been helpful to accept you can still do your job on antidepressants,” he told The Guardian.
Joe also led Sky Sports documentary Big Boys Don’t Cry, which discussed mental health in high level sports.
“It’s important to talk and open up,” Joe said to GQ about the show. “By doing this documentary you’re encouraging others to talk. It’s helping me to make sure I practise what I preach.”
What is Joe Marler’s nickname?
He might look like a rugby hard-man, but Joe has quite the flaky nickname. In typical rugby boy style, Joe joked his players used to call him ‘croissant’.
Why? Well, it’s all to do the shape of a particular body part.
“The boys think I have a nose that looks like a French pastry,” he said in a 2020 post-match interview.
Joe Marler on the Celebrity Traitors
Joe has established himself as a key player to watch in The Celebrity Traitors. As well as his ‘joe-mance’ with fellow faithful Joe Wilkinson, Joe was the brains behind the “big dog theory”.
This theory, which has been brought up at the Round Tables, saw Joe suggest host Claudia Winkleman picked the two smartest celebs to face off against each other.
Joe believes Jonathan could be head of the Traitors. Meanwhile, Stephen Fry is head of the Faithful. Fans have since praised him for his theory.
Speaking about why he signed up to the show, Joe said: “I’m grateful because rugby gave me that platform for people to go, let’s bring this hairy, mohawked, slightly unconventional rugby player to come to this.
“It’s always nice and it’s stuff I enjoy doing.”
When is the Celebrity Traitors on?
Celebrity Traitors airs Wednesdays and Thursdays on BBC One and iPlayer. The latest episode ended on a big cliffhanger, with a double tie in the Round Tables.
A former Traitors star has since revealed what the rule book says about this scenario. The Celebrity Traitors finale will air on 6 November in a 90 minute special.
