{"id":747707,"date":"2026-08-24T01:26:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T01:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/747707\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T01:26:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T01:26:12","slug":"joe-marler-reveals-cute-reason-he-is-transforming-into-first-ever-celebrity-gladiator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/747707\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Marler reveals cute reason he is transforming into first ever celebrity Gladiator"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"File
\n\t\tJoe Marler is joining BBC\u2019s Gladiators as the show\u2019s first-ever Celebrity Gladiator (Picture: Ian West\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

\u2018Contestant, are you ready?\u2019 Joe Marler has spoken for the first time about his transformation from Rugby legend into a Gladiator brute.<\/p>\n

The Traitors star will be rebranded as \u2018Mauler\u2019 in the upcoming BBC<\/a> series \u2013 a permanent cast member taking on contestants, a marked difference to celebrity guests.<\/p>\n

But the kind-hearted father revealed it was his son\u2019s adoration for the Gladiators that made him want to don the famous catsuit himself.<\/p>\n

He explained when he took part in Soccer Aid<\/a> his son was too shy to let go of his hand \u2013 but acted completely differently when he spotted a Gladiator.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Joe
\n\t\tRugby star Joe Marler will be entering the arena as Mauler (Picture: BBC\/Studio Lambert\/Paul Chappells)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"For
\n\t\tJoe Marler will take his place in the dressing room (Hungry Bear Media \/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

Joe told\u00a0Love Sunday magazine<\/a>: \u2018My kids love it, particularly my youngest boy.<\/p>\n

\u2018We walked past Nitro and he says, \u201cDaddy, it\u2019s Nitro!\u201d He walked over like, \u201cHi, Nitro.\u201d And I\u2019m like, \u201cWhat? Who is this? You barely say hello to family members, but you\u2019ve gone straight up to Nitro.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018So when the call came in to say, \u201cWe\u2019d like you to be a Gladiator if you fancy it,\u201d it was a definite yes.\u2019<\/p>\n

Known for his physical style of play, outrageous mohican and larger-than-life personality, Joe earned 95 England caps in his sports career.<\/p>\n

But since hanging up his boots, he opened up on his struggle to get into shape for the tight outfits the Gladiators are expected to wear. He said he even asked bosses if he could be the first \u2018baggy\u2019 clothes-wearing Gladiator. <\/p>\n

He was refused, with Joe explaining: \u2018So, I\u2019m going to need a little bit of time to get as close to Gladiator-ready as possible.\u2019<\/p>\n

He is in training and already filming in Sheffield ahead of the programme\u2019s return to BBC One and iPlayer in 2027.<\/p>\n

Hosted by\u00a0Bradley Walsh<\/a>\u00a0and his son Barney, the rebooted Gladiators has become one of the broadcaster\u2019s most-watched shows since its return in 2024.<\/p>\n

The likes of\u00a0Sam Thompson<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Joe Wicks<\/a>\u00a0have all taken part in the celebrity version in previous episodes.<\/p>\n

This comes after Giant, Bionic, Athena and Cyclone\u00a0all exited the show in previous months,<\/a>\u00a0with various replacements being announced by the\u00a0BBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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