SNARLING Joe Marler stared down Jonathan Ross at the roundtable and bullishly stood by his Big Dogs theory.
He was, of course, proven right as his articulation and calculation, inquisition and intuition helped successfully oust the first traitor – at long, long last.
Joe Marler has thrived in his role on The Celebrity TraitorsCredit: BBC
Marler helped oust Jonathan Ross – the first traitor to goCredit: BBC
The former England rugby star has four kids with wife DaisyCredit: Instagram / Joe Marler
Marler, 35, .
But for a man who played 95 matches for England and at three World Cups – plus had the protection of a shield saving him from a potential murder – he exuberated a smug confidence, as the demonstrative prop turned probing detective.
Backtrack a few hours, though, and Marler showed a very different side, a vulnerable side to the 6ft, 20st stocky rugby player, nervously and trepidly shuffled his bulky frame across the rickety bridge as part of the challenge in episode seven of The Celebrity .
And for all his macho physique, giant portions of food and cauliflower ears, there is a softer, kinder, more thoughtful and even a gentler side to dad-of-four and animal-lover Marler that belies his tough exterior.
On first glance, – a true faithful to Harlequins for his entire 15-year club career – can give off typical hardman, brutal rugby vibes.
A ten-week ban for during a match.
A £20,000 fine for unsporting and discriminatory comments to a rival player.
Another ban for insulting language, calling Jake Heenan’s mother a “f***ing w****” – while she was battling cancer at the time.
Another .
But as he proved with his apologies to Heenan and the All Blacks, Marler is considerate, recognises his mistakes and vows to make himself, the people around him and the world better.
Never was that more true than his involvement in the 2021 Sky Sports documentary Big Boys Don’t Cry, where he spoke candidly about his journey and difficulties with mental health, and subsequently with suicide-prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably.
He said in the CALM video: “The more I’ve spoken openly with my friends and family about my issues, the stronger I’ve felt.
“It’s strong to be open and honest about how you feel, it’s not a weakness.
“I was really excited about the prospect of this project helping people to understand that it’s okay to struggle, it’s okay not to be okay and that they’re not alone in how they’re feeling.”
Marler is not just a famous spokesperson helicoptered in to stick his face on a campaign.
For Marler, it is a personal, living experience – and a far cry from the persona to feature in a Durex condom advert and sell pictures of his feet on OnlyFans.
In 2019, he came off the bench for in the Rugby World Cup final.
The year before, though, he considered taking his own life – and credits his for still being here.
A row over not , punching through a door and storming out on a crying Daisy.
I thought maybe the world’s better off if I’m not around
Joe Marler on mental health struggles
He said: “I had no idea where I was going or what I was doing. It was the most ashamed I’ve ever been. I didn’t recognise who I was any more.
“Then the thoughts of not wanting to be here anymore really took hold of me.
“I thought maybe the world’s better off if I’m not around. You go, ‘What would that look like if I wasn’t here anymore?’
“That was the moment that I was like, ‘F***ing hell, I need help. I need some proper help here.’”
The following day, he played for Harlequins – but more importantly, he got that help.
Marler started seeing a psychiatrist at the club – a major “turning point” – as he also told his wife and close friends what was going on.
Marler was diagnosed with severe depression and has been an impassioned advocate for people, especially men, getting therapy and opening up about their struggles ever since.
He has gone public with stories of crying alone on his way to training and deliberately dropping a weight on his hand to injure himself.
It is a very different picture from his that, at times, is so dry it makes the Atacama Desert look waterlogged.
Marler’s theories around the round table have ruffled feathersCredit: BBC
The 35-year-old showed a more vulnerable side on the rickety bridge challengeCredit: BBC
Marler certainly has a softer side – and his love of animals is proofCredit: Instagram
He was banned for ten weeks after grabbing Alun Wyn Jones downstairsCredit: Alamy
Marler credits his wife for still being here after struggling with suicidal thoughtsCredit: Paul Hackett – The Sunday Times
Singing in scrums. Stamping on opponents’ feet with studs. Storytelling that leaves fans and friends alike in stitches – such as refusing to celebrate an overtime drop-goal winner against Ireland because he didn’t get the chance to score his first points for England in his 92nd cap.
Close pal Danny Care instead opted to pass to Marcus Smith – because he was worried Marler, just two metres from the line, would drop the ball.
The front-rower only played three more times for his country and did not get that elusive maiden try before .
But now out of the game, he does not look back fondly on some of the sport’s worst elements he once revelled in.
Marler told the Happy Hour Podcast : “Initiations are one of the things I f***ing hate about rugby. I look back on a lot of the s*** I used to be involved in and I think, ‘What the f*** is all that about?’
“The initiations, the drinking games… it’s minging.
“We made someone’s a***cheek bleed with a metal spatula while he was drinking out of his shoe.
“There was other s*** where you strip the smallest bloke in the squad naked, grease up the floor with Fairy liquid, set the chairs and bins up as pins and he’s the bowling ball.”
GIFT OF THE GAB IS A GIFT
Marler hung up his boots to make good on his promise that his family – including kids Pixie, Maggie, Felix and Jasper plus their multitude of pets from dogs and chickens to a tortoise – were indeed his priority.
At the time, he explained: “I can’t keep talking about my family being my priority unless they actually are.
“I want to keep it untarnished, all these memories of my career, both good and bad. I don’t want to leave my house with my kids crying. I’m ready to make the change.”
The change – partly prompted by a “scary” concussion episode in which he broke down after forgetting he was a parent – has opened up plenty of media work.
But rather than talking tactics and tries as a pundit, Marler’s best asset is talking about the other stuff, as he uses his voice and public profile for good.
Though he has now , the blurb for his Joe Marler’s Things People Do podcast still speaks volumes.
It reads: “Joe Marler used to hate people, but then he met Tom Fordyce, and a load of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and a podcast was born that changed his mind forever. It might just change your life too.
“Because everyone is interesting if you ask the right questions. And this is a show about all the weird and wonderful things people do.
“Together, Joe and Tom meet astronauts, teachers, marine biologists, cheesemakers, prison guards and everyone in between.
“Along the way, they’ve learned things that have blown their minds, heard stories that have made them laugh until it hurts, and – well, felt a whole lot better about the world around them and the people that fill it.”
Yes, Marler’s rugby anecdotes are hilarious and he is a brilliant member of the Celebrity Traitors cast.
But his willingness to engage in meaningful discussions, fighting against culture’s toxic masculinity and stigma surrounding mental health, will have far wider, far deeper and far better ramifications for those willing to listen and look beyond the questionable haircut and quirky humour – and even quirkier ears…
Marler is never afraid to opt for a bold haircutCredit: Getty
Marler came on in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final defeat to South AfricaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The prop racked up 95 caps for his countryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He was faithful to Harlequins for his entire club careerCredit: Getty
Marler did not get a single try for his country – and looks back with regret on his actions off the fieldCredit: PA 
