Former rugby star Joe Marler is the first celebrity to join Gladiators - and his new name has been revealed as he prepares to go head to head with the contestants12:54, 05 Aug 2026Updated 12:54, 05 Aug 2026Former rugby star Joe Marler has become the first celebrity to join Gladiators - and his new name has been revealed.‌The popular game show is hosted by father-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh, and sees contestants’ speed, power, endurance and agility put to the test as they face off with elite athletes, known as Gladiators.‌Joe, 36, is set to make his debut this year as the first ever famous Gladiator. He is the first star to join the team of elite athletes and will go head-to-head with contestants in special appearances “packed with power, personality and plenty of surprises”.‌Joe will be joined by familiar Gladiator faces including Apollo, Comet, Diamond, Nitro and Dynamite in the upcoming series, with the BBC show releasing a first look image at Joe's suit hanging alongside some very familiar faces' outfits.Joe will be stepping into the Sheffield arena as his alter ego Mauler as he makes his Gladiators debut. He rose to fame as an England rugby star, and has pivoted toward a career in television since retiring from the sport.‌However, it is not the first time a celebrity has set foot in the arena – as the all-star spin-off has seen the likes of Vogue Williams, Joe Wicks, Rob Beckett and Joel Dommett take on the Gladiators.For Joe, it's not his first foray into reality TV. He has featured on shows such as Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel, Blankety Blank and recently took part in Soccer Aid 2026. He starred in Celebrity Traitors last autumn turned him into a TV star, and he quickly became a fan favourite with his shrewd analysis of the game and his friendships with comedians Joe Wilkinson and Nick Mohammed.‌Marler formed an alliance with Ted Lasso star Nick, who later backstabbed him at the final roundtable and voted him out, leading Alan Carr to win the show and be crowned the first celebrity winner.Speaking about his experience on the BBC show, fronted by Claudia Winkleman, he added: "I remember turning to my wife once the final had been broadcast, and I was like, 'Great, it's done now - everyone's just gonna concentrate on Christmas.'"But being able to sit around the Round Table with people like Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie and Alan Carr ... and the opportunity to tell Alan to shut up or Jonathan Ross to grow up - that was great fun! I knew the show would be popular, but I didn't anticipate the public loving it as much as they did."Article continues below*Gladiators returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2027.Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.