Joe Marler Recounts "Celebrity Traitors" Filming Experience
The star shares insights into the isolation, routines, and weight gain during his time on the show.
Joe Marler, a contestant on the first season of "The Celebrity Traitors," has disclosed details about the filming process, including the isolation contestants experienced and the unexpected weight gain that resulted from the show's unique environment.
Marler revealed that participants were kept in isolation, often in hotel rooms near Inverness Airport, to maintain the show's secrecy. He described being "locked away" and even having to be evasive about his destination when traveling to Scotland. The contestants were housed in a Marriott Hotel, with meals delivered to their rooms, limiting interaction with others.
"You get flown up there and then you get shoved in the Marriott Hotel in Inverness Airport," Marler explained. "It was gorgeous! I was in the room, you put a card under the door, your food gets brought to you, you can have as much as you like. There's no interaction with anyone, any other contestants and then you’re taken to the castle."
During his downtime in the hotel, Marler found himself binge-watching the British crime drama "Line Of Duty." He humorously noted that this led him to suspect a fellow contestant, Mark Bonner, after hearing him use the word "moot," a term he recalled from an episode of "Line Of Duty" where it was used by a villain.
Filming also involved a peculiar approach to timekeeping, with production staff referring to it as "Traitors time" rather than actual hours. Marler and other contestants reportedly spent hours attempting to determine the time using a sundial and playing snooker.
The show's signature breakfast scenes, where Traitors and Faithfuls reconvene, also contributed to Marler's experience. He admitted to gaining eight kilograms, attributing it to the availability of food and engaging in multiple breakfasts per day.
"For the first bit of enjoying yourself, just watch what you’re eating, to go in there and put on eight kilos," Marler advised. "Some people engage in a second breakfast, some people it would be their first breakfast. Some people it might be a third breakfast."
Marler contrasted his season with the upcoming second season, suggesting that the first was more lighthearted and focused on contestants catching up. He implied that the second season's cast, aware of the first season's success, might approach the game with greater intensity.
"The Celebrity Traitors" series two is scheduled to premiere on October 1st and features a star-studded cast including Richard E. Grant, Maya Jama, James Blunt, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Ross Kemp. The BBC released a trailer for the new season, hinting at a more dramatic and emotional competition than the inaugural run.