Moment shocked England rugby stars react to Joe Marler being ‘stabbed in the back’ in epic Celebrity Traitors finale – as fans give popular ex-player the meme treatment

Joe Marler’s ‘backstab’ in dramatic scenes in Celebrity Traitors’ epic finale stunned England rugby stars; The audience also shared this shock.

The 35-year-old, who retired from Test rugby in 2024 and now works with the national team in a player welfare role, became a surprise TV favorite during the hit BBC programme.

His keen sense of humor and quick instincts made him one of the standout Loyalists and he received huge support from fans and former teammates alike.

That support turned to disbelief on Thursday night when Marler’s on-screen ally Nick Muhammad betrayed him in the final roundtable.

Images shared by England Rugby The account showed that when Muhammad Marler announced his name, many players in the team room gasped in disbelief. Some covered their faces, while others jumped out of their seats as it played out live on the big screen.

The audience was equally astonished. Social media was flooded with memes and clips as fans turned their anger towards Mohammed, calling him ‘cold-hearted’ and ‘ruthless’.

In the images shared by the England Rugby account, many players in the team room were seen gasping for breath in disbelief.

‘Nick sees Joe Marler at the series wrap party,’ one joked alongside the viral GIF of a distraught Steve Bruce.

Another shared the equally iconic deadpan Mike Wazowski meme from Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. with the caption: ‘When Joe Marler was banished’, while others hailed the former England prop as ‘the only one with a clue’ and ‘a national treasure’.

Marler was central to the show’s final twist, helping to expose singer Cat Burns as a traitor before Mohammed suddenly began to doubt her.

The Ted Lasso star told him: ‘I adore you… but your vote for Cat sealed it’ before delivering his slashing blow.

SPOILER WARNING: Below are details about the outcome.

The episode ended with comedian Alan Carr revealed to be the latest Traitor to claim the £87,500 charity prize after deceiving both Mohammed and historian David Olusoga.

Carr broke down as he admitted ‘all the lies and betrayals’ and admitted: ‘I was so bad, I had no poker face but here I am.’

Marler’s transition from attack to the small screen has made him one of rugby’s best-known post-retirement figures; He was praised by teammates and fans alike for ‘breaking it’ on TV and helping to raise the sport’s profile well beyond the pitch.

Viewers lit up social media with memes and clips as fans turned their anger towards Mohammed and hailed Marler as a ‘national treasure’

The former Harlequins player won 83 England caps during his playing career and is known as one of the game’s greatest characters.

Since retiring he has worked with the national team as performance director for Team England Rugby, a player-led group that promotes wellbeing and transition from sport.

England players have followed his reality TV journey closely throughout the autumn campaign and several squad members have spoken of watching episodes together between training sessions.

His crossover success has been praised within the game as proof that rugby personality can develop beyond the touchline.