Joe Marler 'grateful' for Traitors opportunity

The former England international is one of 19 well-known faces on The Celebrity Traitors

The Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler has said he is grateful his career as a rugby player has given him the platform to be invited on to the hit TV programme.

The former England player is one of 19 celebrities taking part in the latest series of the award-wining BBC One game show, with an episode due to air later.

Marler, from Heathfield in East Sussex, retired from rugby 12 months ago, and has since developed a passion for the racket sport padel.

Speaking at the Pro AM Padel Tour Finals in Canary Wharf, London, the 35 year-old said people often stopped him in the street to ask: "Are you the guy that wears dungarees on The Traitors?"

Marler played his entire club career at Harlequins and made 286 appearances until his retirement

On his role on The Celebrity Traitors, he said: "I'm grateful because rugby gave me that platform for people to go, let's bring this hairy, mohawked, slightly unconventional rugby player to come to this.

"It's always nice and it's stuff I enjoy doing."

During his rugby career, he earned 95 caps for England, won three Six Nations Championships and represented England at three World Cups.

His entire club career was at Harlequins, where he made 286 appearances until his retirement.

Marler said there had been a "great response" from the public after his The Celebrity Traitors appearances and he had really enjoyed watching the show himself.

"I've seen I've seen the other 18 points of view and conversations that have gone on behind my back," he said.

He joked about the interactions he was having with his padel teammates at the tournament.

"The question I get the most is 'How did you get on that show?' There's loads of celebrities on there?'," he said.