Rugby union legend and Celebrity Traitors finalist Joe Marler found himself in an awkward position this week after national treasure Sir Stephen Fry orchestrated a mischievous prank involving the popular adult content platform OnlyFans.
The Prank That Left Marler Squirming
During an episode of Marler's podcast Joe Marler Will See You Now, where the former England player adopts the role of a 'pseudo psychologist' with celebrity guests, the conversation took an unexpected turn. Marler playfully suggested he wanted to make Fry 'a little bit naughty' and bring him 'back into criminality' during their faux therapy session.
The podcast's research assistant, comedy creator Jake Bhardwaj, then proposed that Fry should 'commit identity fraud' by impersonating Marler in their Celebrity Traitors WhatsApp group. The Blackadder actor enthusiastically embraced the idea, crafting a message that would send shockwaves through the celebrity circle.
The Message That Caused Chaos
Sir Stephen composed a message pretending to be Marler that read: 'My dears, I'm considering an OnlyFans site, I haven't told you this but I love to flash my junk. Is this a stupid idea?'
Before the message was sent, Marler expressed significant anxiety about the prank, telling Fry: 'I can't tell you how nervous I am.' The veteran actor and writer jokingly reassured him: 'Oh, it's something you'll probably want to do anyway so it's not really a bad thing.'
Once the message was delivered to the group chat containing numerous celebrity colleagues, Marler's reaction was immediate and dramatic. The rugby star was captured squirming in his chair with his head buried in his hands as fits of laughter erupted throughout the studio.
Celebrity Fallout and Aftermath
Assistant Jake Bhardwaj couldn't resist teasing Marler further, asking: 'Just to recap, who's in that group?' Sir Stephen revealed the impressive roster included comedy legend Alan Carr, presenter Claudia Winkleman, actress Celia Imrie, and essentially 'everyone' from their Celebrity Traitors cohort.
Marler's panic became palpable as he exclaimed: 'What the f*** am I going to do off the back of that mate?' He then explained his usual communication style within the group: 'My usual is just chiming in every so often, wishing people the best in their latest project or something. Or doing a little GIF, or a little reaction.'
After collecting himself, Marler did acknowledge the supportive nature of the group, admitting: 'It is actually a really supportive group on there.'
Traitors History and Connection
The pair first connected during the inaugural season of the BBC's Celebrity Traitors spin-off, hosted by Claudia Winkleman and featuring notable participants including Cat Burns and Charlotte Church. Their on-screen dynamic proved particularly interesting as Marler progressed further in the competition than Fry, who was banished in episode six partly due to Marler's strategic gameplay.
Marler had spearheaded what became known as the 'big dog theory', which led fellow Faithfuls to suspect Fry might be leading a pack of Traitors. While Alan Carr ultimately won the prize money for charity, Marler came agonisingly close to victory before being voted out by Nick Mohammed at the final moment.
The podcast episode showcasing this hilarious exchange is available across multiple platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and BBC Sounds, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the playful dynamic between two of Britain's most beloved public figures.
