Joe Marler Becomes BBC's First Celebrity Gladiator

Former England rugby international and reality‑TV personality Joe Marler will join the BBC’s revived Gladiators as its first celebrity Gladiator, adopting the arena name “Mauler.” The announcement was made ahead of the show’s fourth series, scheduled to return in 2027 on BBC One and iPlayer.

Fans have praised the casting on social media, calling it “perfect” and “epic.” Marler will appear alongside veteran Gladiators such as Apollo, Comet and Diamond, with the series hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son Barney Walsh.