Joe Marler to Become BBC's First Celebrity Gladiator as 'Mauler'
Joe Marler, a former England rugby star, is set to become the inaugural celebrity Gladiator, taking on the role of 'Mauler' in the upcoming fourth series of the BBC's 'Gladiators', which is scheduled to debut in 2027. The 36-year-old revealed this exciting news through an Instagram video filmed in the Gladiators' dressing room. The BBC has confirmed that his introduction will feature unexpected special appearances. Currently, filming is taking place in Sheffield. Hailing from Heathfield, Sussex, Marler will join established Gladiators like Nitro and Viper. The original 'Gladiators' aired on ITV during the 1990s, featuring Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies as Amazon in 1995. Sky revived the format in 2008, and the current BBC iteration began in 2024, with a celebrity spin-off also in the works.
Key facts
- Joe Marler, former England rugby international, becomes first celebrity Gladiator on BBC's Gladiators.
- Marler will be known as 'Mauler' and will face contenders in the fourth series, airing in 2027.
- Announcement made via Instagram video from the Gladiators dressing room.
- BBC says Marler will make 'special appearances packed with power, personality and plenty of surprises'.
- Filming for series four is underway in Sheffield.
- Marler is 36 years old and from Heathfield, Sussex.
- He previously appeared on the first series of Celebrity Traitors.
- Original Gladiators ran on ITV in the 1990s; Sharron Davies joined in 1995 as Amazon.
- Format revived by Sky in 2008, then by BBC One in 2024.
- Celebrity spin-off in development with AJ Odudu, Sara Pascoe, Chris Ramsey, and George Clarke.
Entities
Artists
- Joe Marler
- Sharron Davies
- AJ Odudu
- Sara Pascoe
- Chris Ramsey
- George Clarke
Institutions
- BBC
- ITV
- Sky
Locations
- Sheffield
- Heathfield
- Sussex
- United Kingdom