Rugby joy at Joe Marler on The Celebrity Traitors

Joe Marler was one of 19 competitors who started out on The Celebrity Traitors

Spoiler warning: This article reveals details from the eighth episode of The Celebrity Traitors

The Celebrity Traitors finalist Joe Marler is "smashing it" in the popular TV programme, according to his former England rugby teammates.

The former prop, from Heathfield, East Sussex, reached the final of the BBC reality show after surviving Thursday's murder and round table.

England's current players and management are said to be gripped by his appearances on the show, in the build-up to their match against Australia on Saturday.

Fin Baxter, who was Marler's understudy for Harlequins and the national team, said: "It is quite cool to see rugby players transitioning into mainstream TV shows."

As performance director for Team England Rugby, a group that represents players' interests, Marler spent time with the squad at their Surrey base during the week.

The 35-year-old, whose 15-year professional rugby career ended in 2024, has not revealed to the squad where he finishes in the final, which will be aired on BBC One on Thursday.

Baxter said: "I don't think he has told anyone.

"He told former player Danny Care he has gone quite far.

"It is brilliant to see him just being himself."

Marler's 15-year professional rugby career ended in 2024

Baxter added: "Groups of us have been watching it and it has been great entertainment.

"We talk about characters and personalities in rugby and seeing him make the mainstream is pretty cool."

In Thursday's episode TV presenter Kate Garraway was banished at the round table and actress Celia Imrie was murdered in plain sight by comedian Alan Carr.

Carr was tasked with making a toast and saying "parting is such sweet sorrow", before saying her name, to carry out the killing.

The show's five finalists will be Marler, Carr, singer Cat Burns, comedian Nick Mohammed and TV historian David Olusoga.

Marler said on Thursday's show that he was convinced the Traitors were Carr and Burns.

The former player told BBC South East at an event in London earlier in October there had been a "great response" from the public after his The Celebrity Traitors appearances and he had "really enjoyed" watching the show himself.

Additional reporting from PA Media.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.