Joe Marler Eyes Television Career After Rugby Retirement
Former England prop reportedly in talks for BBC Gladiators role, marking a significant shift from the scrum to the screen.

Image: Eddie Pollard / AI

Callum Smith
Joe Marler, who retired from professional rugby in 2024, is reportedly poised to transition into television entertainment, with a potential role on the new BBC Gladiators series.
Marler launched a podcast for BBC Sounds, titled 'Joe Marler Will See You Now'. This marked a clear shift in his professional focus beyond the rugby field.
Despite his burgeoning media profile, Marler previously dismissed participation in 'Strictly Come Dancing', citing an inability to dance. A different kind of physical challenge now looms for the former England international.
Marler reportedly engages in talks for a new BBC role as a Gladiator, with a surprise appearance on the revived show being planned. If he joins the cast, he would become the most high-profile Gladiator since swimmer Sharron Davies in 1995.
Athletes transition into media, leveraging their public recognition and physical prowess. This trend is evident across the entertainment landscape.
The reported interest in Marler for 'Gladiators' reflects the show's ambition to attract well-known figures. Producers aim to capitalize on established personalities.
His involvement would bring a unique blend of rugby's raw physicality and his established, often humorous, public persona to the iconic program.
Discussions surrounding his participation suggest a significant new chapter for Marler. He moves from the intensity of professional sport to the spectacle of prime-time television.
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