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England rugby stars were left stunned as Joe Marler was 'stabbed in the back' in dramatic scenes during an epic Celebrity Traitors finale, with viewers sharing in the shock.
The 35-year-old, who retired from Test rugby in 2024 and now works with the national team in a player-welfare role, has become a surprise TV favourite during the BBC hit show.
His sharp humour and quick instincts made him one of the standout Faithfuls, earning huge support from fans and former team-mates alike.
That support turned to disbelief on Thursday night when Marler's on-screen ally Nick Mohammed betrayed him at the final roundtable.
Footage shared by the England Rugby account showed a host of players in a team room gasping in disbelief as Mohammed revealed Marler's name. Some covered their faces, while others leapt from their seats as the twist played out live on the big screen.
Viewers were just as stunned. Social media lit up with memes and clips as fans turned their ire on Mohammed, calling him 'cold-hearted' and 'ruthless'.
Joe Marler's on-screen ally Nick Mohammed betrayed him at the final roundtable during an epic finale of the hit BBC show
Footage shared by the England Rugby account showed a host of players in a team room gasping in disbelief
One joked, 'Nick seeing Joe Marler at the series wrap party', alongside the viral GIF of a distraught Steve Bruce.
Another shared the equally iconic meme of a deadpan Mike Wazowski from Pixar's Monsters, Inc., with the caption: 'Joe Marler when he got banished', while others hailed the former England prop as 'the only one with a clue' and 'a national treasure'.
Marler had been central to the show's final twist, helping to expose singer Cat Burns as a Traitor before Mohammed suddenly began doubting him.
The Ted Lasso star told him: 'I adore you... but you voting for Cat is what sealed it,' before delivering his cutting blow.
SPOILER ALERT: The following contains details of the outcome.
The episode ended with comedian Alan Carr revealed as the final Traitor, taking the £87,500 charity prize after deceiving both Mohammed and historian David Olusoga.
Carr broke down as he confessed to 'all the lying and treachery', admitting: 'I was awful, I had no poker face but here I am.'
Marler's switch from the scrum to the small screen has made him one of rugby's most recognisable post-retirement figures, praised by teammates and fans alike for 'smashing it' on TV and helping to raise the sport's profile far beyond the pitch.
Viewers lit up social media with memes and clips as fans turned their ire on Mohammed and hailed Marler as a 'national treasure'
During his playing career, the former Harlequins prop earned 83 England caps and became known as one of the game’s biggest characters.
Since retiring, he has worked alongside the national team as performance director for Team England Rugby, a player-led group supporting welfare and transition from the sport.
England players have followed his reality TV journey closely throughout their autumn campaign, with several squad members speaking about watching episodes together between training sessions.
His crossover success has been hailed within the game as proof that rugby’s personalities can thrive beyond the touchline.
