Former rugby star Joe Marler is to become the first ever celebrity Gladiator on the BBC’s popular entertainment series.

The 36-year-old, who also took part in the first series of Celebrity Traitors, will be known as Mauler and face contenders when the fourth series of Gladiators begins in 2027.

“Mauler will see you now,” Marler said in a video posted on Instagram announcing the news, recorded in the Gladiators dressing room.

The BBC said Marler will make his debut with a series of “special appearances packed with power, personality and plenty of surprises”.

Filming for the fourth series is currently under way in Sheffield, the BBC confirmed in a statement.

“Known for his uncompromising style of play and larger-than-life sense of humour, Joe has built a reputation as one of the UK’s most entertaining sporting personalities,” the corporation said.

“Now, he’s taking on an entirely new challenge as he joins the ranks of the Gladiators, bringing his trademark physicality and competitive spirit to one of television’s toughest arenas.”

The former England rugby international star, who is from Heathfield, Sussex, will join fellow Gladiators such as Nitro, Viper, Diamond and Sabre in battle when the show returns next year.

Gladiators was a hugely successful show on ITV in the 1990s, and saw members of the public take on a group of elite athletes who each had their own on-screen persona.

Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, who like Marler was already known as a famous sports personality, joined that iteration of the show in 1995 as the character Amazon.

The format was revived by Sky for two series in 2008, before the current iteration launched in 2024, quickly becoming a hit for BBC One.

A celebrity spin-off is separately in the works, featuring contestants including presenter AJ Odudu, comedian Sara Pascoe, podcaster Chris Ramsey and social media star George Clarke.