Joe Marler says he is a serial loser in rugby, but he is determined to change all that this week in the Celebrity Traitors final.
After lots of twists and turns, banishments and murders, five famous faces will fight it out in the Celebrity Traitors final. Last week’s episode saw TV host Alan Carr and singer Cat Burns declare themselves “traitors for life” and vowed to win more money and then steal it from under the noses of the faithfuls. But with the charity prize money now standing at £67,500 the three faithfuls appeared to finally be closing in on the traitors.
Ex rugby player Joe urged Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga to believe him when he said he had a new theory Joe said: “There’s no hiding place around those small, round tables now, and tonight, Nick convinced me that Cat is a traitor that has gone way under the radar the entire game. I think that Cat and Alan are traitors. I think it might be both of them.”
View 7 Images The final five outside the famous castle with host Claudia Winkleman ahead of a massive showdown which will be watched by millions(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Paul Chappells)
Only time will tell if he is trusted by the others and if there is another twist in the tail and who will ultimately leave the castle with the money. Here they all discuss being in the final and the reaction of family and friends to the smash hit series…
MEET THE FINAL FAITHFULS
Ex rugby star JOE MARLER
View 7 Images Joe Marler holds the key to who wins the final in many ways(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Paul Chappells)
How does it feel to be a finalist? Did you ever think you’d make it this far? I didn’t think I’d get on the show let alone make it to the final! It is a privilege to have made it this far. I’ve always been very competitive, I pretty much want to win at everything I play, whether that’s rugby, Monopoly, or a kick around in the garden with my boys. Bombed out of a home World Cup in 2015, lost in the World Cup Final 2019, lost in the World Cup Semi Final 2023, I’m a serial loser! To finally win something would be lovely.
I’m proud that it was the big dog theory – that Joe Wilkinson and myself came up with – that resulted in the toppling of the first Traitor, Jonathan, and now I’ve just got to finish the job!
What’s the reaction been like from family and friends? My family and friends were nervous that I might end up ruining their favourite show with my awkward character, but the kids have been obsessed with it!!!
Any surprising messages from fans of the show? So many lovely messages from fans of the show, but my highlight would be getting a follow from Dawn French off the back of one of the memes on Instagram!
Historian DAVID OLUSOGA
View 7 Images David has been close to being ‘history’ on the show several times during Round Table votes(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Paul Chappells)
How does it feel to be a finalist? Did you ever think you’d make it this far? I never thought I would get to the final, and the way I’ve played so far I probably didn’t deserve to get to the final. It’s so random but an amazing game because so much of it is chance as well as strategy.
What’s the reaction been like from family and friends? They love it!
What surprised you the most about the game? I was surprised by many things about the game. I was surprised it was so difficult, but I was surprised most of all that the players who are trying to banish and kill one another just all had a wonderful time together. I didn’t go up to Scotland thinking I would come back with 18 friends – that was the biggest surprise.
Comedian and actor NICK MOHAMMED
View 7 Images Nick has been close to Joe throughout and the pair could team up for a memorable victory unless they have last minute doubts(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Paul Chappells)
How does it feel to be a finalist? Did you ever think you’d make it this far? I think the answer is, no. I always hoped I’d make the final but no I think it’s dangerous to anticipate that. Particularly as a Faithful, it’s just so rare because it’s just the roll of the dice as to whether you’re going to get murdered and of course you can be banished as well. It’s kind of out of your hands so maybe if you’re a Traitor at the start you have a bit more control of the game. As a Faithful I thought, here we go, every day. You survive another day and you just look to the next day really. So what a joy to be in the final.
What’s the reaction been like from family and friends? They have all been watching. It’s sort of phenomenal. I slightly underestimated the reach of the show. I knew obviously it was a popular show, I’m a big fan of the show. I didn’t anticipate quite how many people would be tuned into this. A lot of people getting in touch, who I’ve not been in touch with in a while, saying ‘Oh we’re watching The Traitors’. It’s wonderful, it’s great, it’s lovely that it’s a piece of telly that everyone can come and watch, a multi-generational family show really.
AND WHO THEY ARE TRYING TO CATCH….THE TRAITORS!
TV star ALAN CARR
View 7 Images Alan Carr has been the undoubted star of the series – a loveable traitor(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Paul Chappells)
How does it feel to be a finalist? Did you ever think you’d make it this far? It feels amazing to be in the final, I think me and the entire nation didn’t believe I would get through the first roundtable let alone be in the final five. What a journey!! I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
What’s the reaction been like from family and friends? Everyone’s in shock basically as I am known for not having a ‘poker face’ or not being able to lie without sweating and my glasses getting steamed up. The strange thing is, weirdly even though we’ve been murdering and banishing national treasures, olympians, intellectuals and popular entertainers, my family are still strangely proud of me which is frankly quite odd.
Any surprising messages from fans of the show? I’ve been bathing in the love, it really has put a spring in my step, and I am loving the constant flow of memes that pop up on my feed. The public scrutiny and all the theories, some actually quite bizarre, have been really interesting to read, but I guess when you have such huge ratings this analysis of your every move comes with the territory. Someone sent me a clip of a psychologist on a local radio station saying I wouldn’t do well on the show because I’m playing a role and I’m not the ‘real’ Alan Carr. That’s quite a statement considering I’ve never met this lady. It seems everyone has an opinion!
Singer CAT BURNS
View 7 Images Cat flew under the radar for much of the series – but will she fall at the final hurdle(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Paul Chappells)
How does it feel to be a finalist? Did you ever think you’d make it this far? It feels amazing to be a finalist. I’ve been a super fan of the show for a while, I’ve watched literally all the episodes from previous series so I backed myself but I know how unpredictable it can be so I went in, decided to be myself and just hope for the best.
What’s the reaction been like from family and friends? Really lovely! I watched the first episode with all of them and they were screaming . They’re all really proud of me. They knew how hard I’d find filming the show because it’s quite intense.
Any surprising messages from fans of the show? Honestly I’m just really happy with how kind everyone has been. I am a fan of the show myself so it’s funny and surreal to see people talking about me and making edits!