Joe Marler confirmed as BBC's inaugural celebrity Gladiator 'Mauler'

On 5 August 2026 former England prop Joe Marler announced in an Instagram video recorded in the Gladiators dressing room that he will become the BBC's first celebrity Gladiator, adopting the name Mauler. He is set to face contenders when the show's fourth series begins in 2027.

The BBC said Marler will make his debut with a series of "special appearances packed with power, personality and plenty of surprises". In a statement the corporation added: "Known for his uncompromising style of play and larger-than-life sense of humour, Joe has built a reputation as one of the UK's most entertaining sporting personalities," the corporation said. "Now, he's taking on an entirely new challenge as he joins the ranks of the Gladiators, bringing his trademark physicality and competitive spirit to one of television's toughest arenas."

Marler, 36, who played for England, also appeared in the first series of Celebrity Traitors. "Mauler will see you now," Marler said in the Instagram video announcing the news.

He will join existing Gladiators such as Nitro, Viper, Diamond and Sabre and will face contenders when the show returns. Gladiators originally ran on ITV in the 1990s as a format in which members of the public took on a group of elite athletes, each with an on-screen persona.

Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies appeared in the 1995 ITV iteration as the character Amazon. The format was revived by Sky for two series in 2008, and the current iteration launched in 2024 and became a hit for BBC One.

A separate celebrity spin-off is in development, with contestants already confirmed including presenter AJ Odudu, comedian Sara Pascoe, podcaster Chris Ramsey and social media star George Clarke.

Filming for the fourth series is currently under way in Sheffield, the BBC confirmed, and Marler will make his Gladiators debut when the fourth series begins in 2027.